DJ

1 of 3

noun

ˈdē-ˌjā 

plural DJs

: disc jockey

When they [the Beatles] arrived in the U.S. in 1964, John Lennon spent his first night in New York in his hotel room, calling up radio DJs and asking them to play the Ronettes.

—Rob Sheffield

A hip-hop DJ's roles can be multi-faceted: finding the music for dancing, playing the popular tracks, being the rapper's background band, having, maintaining, and providing the equipment, producing the beats, and not least improvising instrumental solos.

—Kjetil Falkenberg Hansen

—sometimes used as a title in the stage names of disc jockeys

Jeffrey Allen Townes, better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is a producer, deejay and actor …

—Greg Bishop

DJ

2 of 3

verb

DJed also DJ'd; DJing; DJs

transitive + intransitive

: to perform the role of a disc jockey : to act as a DJ for

Snoop Dogg has revealed that he turned down [an] offer to DJ a party for Michael Jordan.

—Will Lavin

But she's not just DJing behind turntables.

—Rodney Ho

The distinctiveness of DJing in hip hop started with the development of adroit techniques on two turntables.

—Patrick Rivers

There was a festive vibe as [Herman] Matfes DJ'd the event with fun Hanukkah and holiday music.

—Lani Mustacchi

… Paris Hilton DJed a New Year's Eve party on her own virtual island this year.

—Brad Thomas

DJ

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

district judge

2

doctor of jurisprudence

3

dust jacket

Examples of DJ in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Of course, the Bears’ first playoff victory in 15 years came this way, in this season, with a ridiculous second-half comeback against the rival Packers, thanks to Caleb Williams’ late 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

The Panthers can also afford to upgrade their weak side position over DJ Wonnum, who produced just three sacks on the season. —Mike Kaye january 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026

Kangding Ray, the composer, producer and DJ who is currently Oscar-shortlisted for his score to Neon’s Sirāt, has signed with WME for representation for film scoring. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026

Clayton Dees has only thrown four passes in his college career - and that’s four more than Christian Langford and DJ Alexander. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

DJ

noun

ˈdē-ˌjā

often not capitalized

: disc jockey