EP

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

ˈē-ˈpē 

plural EPs

: a music recording that is typically longer than a single (see single entry 2 sense 1c(2)) and shorter than a full-length album

… a five-song EP by the South Korean boy band that clocks in under 15 minutes …

—Joe Coscarelli

Today, EPs look just like full-length CDs, except for the number of tracks. … Most EPs contain 30 minutes or so of music …

—Roger Catlin

There are plenty of reasons to make an EP—whether it's to … find a proper home for B-sides or serve as an introduction to an up-and-coming group before their official debut.

—Bonnie Stiernberg

… released a new extended play (EP) record.

—Mike Sunnucks

called also extended play

EP

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

estimated position

2

European plan

Examples of EP in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Abbreviation or noun

The album was originally an EP, then re-released in Japan with a bonus cut, and finally the full set, nearly 20 years after it was recorded. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

Michael Constable is also an EP. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025

Most recently, 3K shared the seven-track EP, 7 Piano Sketches. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 14 Oct. 2025

That four-song EP is out November 7 via Tru Thoughts. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Abbreviation or noun

extended play

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1989, in the meaning defined above