analog

1 of 2

adjective

an·​a·​log ˈa-nə-ˌlȯg 

-ˌläg

1

a

: of, relating to, or being a mechanism or device in which information is represented by continuously variable physical quantities

Your speakers are analog technology in all its nearly century-old glory … . As the speakers get their signals from the cables, the drivers vibrate in a continual state of flux as the changing analog signals are fed to them. The drivers are presenting an analogy of what came from the original source, even if the source started off digital, such as a CD.

—Ron Goldberg

b

: of or relating to an analog computer

In an analog machine each number is represented by a suitable physical quantity, whose value, measured in some pre-assigned unit, is equal to the number in question.

—The World Treasury Of Physics

c

of a timepiece : having both hour and minute hands

an analog watch

d

: not digital : not computerized

Of course, it's possible to meet someone online, but it's just as tough as the old, analog ways.

—Anita Hamilton

2

: of, relating to, or being an analogue

analog

2 of 2

noun

an·​a·​log

variant spelling of analogue entry 1

1

: something that is similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail : something that is analogous to something else

historical analogues to the current situation

an aspirin analogue

2

: an organ or part similar in function to an organ or part of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin

The gill of a fish is the analogue of the lung of a cat.

3

usually analog : a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different element or in the presence of a particular functional group)

4

: a food product made by combining a less expensive food (such as soybeans or whitefish) with additives to give the appearance and taste of a more expensive food (such as beef or crab)

Examples of analog in a Sentence

Adjective

Telephone lines carry data in analog form.

It receives an analog video signal and converts it to a digital signal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The proprietary format Burnett has developed to manufacture the discs is in an analog format but, unlike vinyl records, said to be almost unsusceptible to normal wear-and-tear. —Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023

Carboplatin, which received FDA approval in 1989, was developed as an analog drug to cisplatin with lower toxicity for the kidney. —Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Aug. 2023

This would allow each key to emulate analog input methods like an analog stick, throttle, or trigger to — for example — give you granular control over a car’s acceleration when playing a racing game. —Jon Porter, The Verge, 10 Aug. 2023

Dreaming of Escape Being at Biosphere 2 for the conference itself feels like an adventure—and kind of like an analog mission in its own way, which is what tells me that maybe I’m not actually suited to this particular type of adventure. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 July 2023

The new controller maintains the same basic design of the Neo Geo CD’s gamepad, with an analog stick on the left, start and select buttons in the middle, and four face buttons on the right. —Jon Porter, The Verge, 5 July 2023

Designing the Analog Front-End Figure 5 shows the analog front-end used in this design. —IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2018

Sophomoric scribbles, missives against diabolical exes, serendipitous dialogues written in different hands read like an analog comments section. —Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 8 June 2023

And the coolest thing for young people is to make compilations again, analog stuff. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 May 2023

Noun

This article is based on that interview. From CAD to brain modeling Parker’s work is focused on four areas: biomimetic neuromorphic circuits, biomimetic stereo vision, retinal and cortical neuromorphic analog circuits, and nanotechnology. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Sep. 2023

In place of analog gauges, every X4 M comes standard with a 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge cluster. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2023

New substances— bath salts, spice, K2, synthetic cannabinoids and fentanyl analogs—continually appear there, given the ready availability of their chemical precursors, and arising from attempts to skirt laws and regulations, or simply out of consumer preference, with alarming frequency. —Edward Sisco, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2023

Twig’s arc is both specific to Australia and resonant for American viewers who can trace its analogs in our own history. —Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2023

While digital devices of the time did allow for much more lifelike drum sounds than the analog TR-808, hip-hop’s traditional preference for quirky sounds over clean ones (and the TR’s lower price point), made the device an early beat-making stalwart. —Jonathan Rowe, Spin, 27 Aug. 2023

There are five more steps along the path toward commercially viable analog AI, Wang argues. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Aug. 2023

Given that many travelers use their cell phones as both a primary method of communication and a navigation tool, Brickhouse encouraged having analog backups. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023

In the Si, the driver faces a gauge cluster with an analog speedometer and a digital tachometer to the left. —Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 14 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from attributive use of analogue entry 1; (sense 1) after analog computer, in which physical quantities (as electrical potential or mechanical motion) are analogues of corresponding quantities in the problem to be solved

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing analog

• analog computer

• analog computer