airplay

noun

air·​play ˈer-ˌplā 

: the playing of a musical recording on the air by a radio station

a song getting a lot of airplay

Examples of airplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As argued in a new piece by nonprofit Stand Up for Stand Up, this evolution of SiriusXM’s comedy programming has been harmful to working-class comics who depended on Raw Dog airplay and the royalties that came with it. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Along with its radio airplay, the song earned 229,000 chart-eligible streams in the tracking week. — Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

In a bright spot, country traditionalist Sierra Ferrell attracted more than 8,600, an impressive number given her lack of mainstream airplay. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2026

Women also traditionally have had a harder time getting recording contracts and radio airplay. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above