audio

1 of 3

adjective

au·​dio ˈȯ-dē-ˌō 

1

: of or relating to acoustic, mechanical, or electrical frequencies corresponding to normally audible sound waves which are of frequencies approximately from 15 to 20,000 hertz

2

a

: of or relating to sound or its reproduction and especially high-fidelity reproduction

b

: relating to or used in the transmission or reception of sound compare video

c

: of, relating to, or utilizing recorded sound

audio

2 of 3

noun

1

: an audio signal

broadly : sound entry 1

2

: the section of television or motion-picture equipment that deals with sound

3

: the transmission, reception, or reproduction of sound

audio-

3 of 3

combining form

1

: hearing

audiometer

2

: sound

audiophile

3

: auditory and

audiovisual

Examples of audio in a Sentence

Adjective

The audio portion of the broadcast was fine but the picture was poor.

They listened to an audio recording of the speech.

Noun

The picture was clear but the audio was very poor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The report by the Dinah Project, a team of legal and gender experts, based its findings on survivor and witness testimonies, accounts from first responders, and forensic, visual and audio evidence. —Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

There’s audio codec support that stretches from SBC to aptX HD. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Noun

Amazon $180 Best Buy The Arlo Pro 5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) leads our list of the best outdoor security cameras with 2K video, 160° view, two-way audio, and fast Wi-Fi. —Parker Hall, Wired News, 10 July 2025

That's how much business software will be powered by AI that understands more than just text—including images, video, audio, and other data—by 2030, according to a new report from Gartner. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

independent use of audio- as adjective

Noun

derivative of audio entry 1, or by shortening of words formed with audio- (as audio-signal)

Combining form

Latin audīre "to hear" + -o- — more at audible entry 1

Note: Probably first in audiometer—see etymology note there.

First Known Use

Adjective

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing audio

• audio-animatronic
• audio-lingual

Rhymes for audio

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

audio

1 of 3 adjective

au·​dio ˈȯd-ē-ˌō 

1

: of or relating to electrical or other frequencies occurring in the range of sound waves that can be heard

2

a

: of or relating to sound or its reproduction and especially accurate reproduction

bought new audio equipment

b

: relating to or used in sending or receiving sound compare video entry 2 sense 1

audio

2 of 3 noun

1

: the sending, receiving, or reproducing of sound

2

: the part of television or motion-picture equipment that deals with sound

audio-

3 of 3 combining form

1

: hearing

audiometer

2

: sound

audiophile

3

: auditory and

audiovisual

Etymology

Combining form

derived from Latin audire "to hear"