demo

noun

\ ˈde-(ˌ)mō

plural demos

Definition of demo

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 capitalized : democrat sense 2

2a : demonstration sense 1b

b British : demonstration sense 4

3a : demonstrator sense a

b : a recording intended to show off a song or performer to a record producer

c : an example of a product that is not yet ready to be sold a demo version of the software

4 : demographic sense 2

demo

verb

demoed also demo'd; demoing also demo'ing; demos

Definition of demo (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to give a demonstration of (something, such as a product or procedure) : to show how (something) works, is prepared, or is done The chef demoed everything. His first demo was peeling a carrot.— Michael Ruhlman One dealer didn't even have demonstration software; the only thing he could demo was the power light. — Video Magazine

2 : demolish My mom put little masks on me and my brother, gave us goggles and crowbars, and we demo'd the walls.— Matt Damon Brick salvaged from a demoed fireplace and backyard path make up the new stoop and walkway.— Natalie Rodriguez

3 : to create a demo (see demo entry 1 sense 3b) recording of (a piece of music) … spent three months rehearsing and demoing songs for their third album …— David Fricke

4 : to use (something, such as a product) in order to test its quality or value : to try out (something) The surest way to pick exactly the right ski for your needs is to first narrow your choices to a workable number … and then go out and demo three or four pairs to make your final selection.— Bill Grout

demo-

combining form

variants: or before vowels dem-

Definition of demo- (Entry 3 of 3)

: people : populace : population demography demonym

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about demo

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Examples of demo in a Sentence

Noun

She will be showing a demo of the company's new alarm system. a demo version of the software I saw a demo on how to use the computer program. The salesman gave us a demo of the vacuum cleaner, and it seemed to work very well. They sent the demo to several record companies. She cut a demo last week.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In Hawaii this week, the 5G advocates showed off a streaming virtual reality demo, but VR is yet another piece of technology that’s still evolving and searching for a truly compelling application. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Apple is right: 2019 will be too early to buy a 5G phone," 5 Dec. 2018 At the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo June 12-14 in L.A., AT&T have a 5G demo at the ESL Arena, which will also host live competitions (watch on live stream service Twitch). — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, "AT&T takes partnership play to new arena: esports," 3 June 2018 Special attractions include two drag boats, a demo on marine electronics and appearances by wakeboard champ Jimmy LaRiche. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, AL.com, "Things to do in Birmingham, Jan. 14-20," 14 Jan. 2018 From there, the driver has quick access to apps like Google Maps, Google Calendar, and music (via Google Play and Spotify, at least in this demo). — Alexander George, Popular Mechanics, "Volvo’s Polestar 2 Is an Electric Car Controlled by Google," 23 Jan. 2019 The demo rides were considerably slower — 40 mph (64 kph) — than what Musk says the future system will run at: 150 mph (241 kph). — Amanda Lee Myers, The Seattle Times, "Elon Musk’s new tunnel ‘a little rough around the edges’," 19 Dec. 2018 Another four-seater arrangement, though this time with two of the seats able to hide away to open more space, this demo took me on a theoretical long-distance ride. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Volvo’s 360c concept has softened my cynicism about autonomous cars," 6 Sep. 2018 That pod was used as a demo for investors and customers, housed at a warehouse in San Diego. — Brittany Meiling, The Seattle Times, "Would you rent a bed by the hour? ‘Napping pod’ startup targets exhausted workers, students," 12 Dec. 2018 Even so, other moments in the demo take their time demonstrating how robust and interactive the city's crowds may turn out to be in the final game. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Cyberpunk 2077’s hour-long, gun-filled E3 gameplay reveal has gone live," 27 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

All three companies showed off the technology at the Snapdragon Technology Summit in Maui, demoing a prototype 5G device on a prototype 5G network. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "How fast is 5G? This speed demo gives us an idea," 4 Dec. 2018 After showing off a demo of SpotMini opening a door like a velociraptor earlier this year, BostonDynamics is demoing their robodogs newest acquired skill. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "BostonDynamic's SpotMini Is Out on Patrol," 10 May 2018 Last week, Oprea posted an Instagram video of herself demoing an eight-part, equipment-free workout that targets this muscle group from all angles. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "A Quick Equipment-Free Butt Workout From Celebrity Trainer Erin Oprea," 27 June 2018 In the video, Bure and Stokes wear looped resistance bands around their ankles and demo the moves with inspiring synchronization and enthusiasm. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Candace Cameron Bure's Lower-Body Circuit Will Strengthen Your Glutes, Hips, and Thighs," 15 Mar. 2018 The company demoed the new Google News during the I/O keynote, showing off many features in mobile-app form. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Google News gets Material Design look, better personalization with AI," 8 May 2018 More experienced riders can check out and demo top bikes from Trek, also for rent. — Mary Forgione, latimes.com, "After 220 days, Mammoth Mountain's winter ski season comes to a close," 12 June 2018 Memoji was just one of the new immersive features demoed Monday. — Arielle Pardes, WIRED, "Tech Addiction and the Paradox of Apple's 'Screen Time' Tools," 5 June 2018 Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, demoed how the new ARKit 2 platform has improved tracking capabilities so that coders can build apps that can more realistically detail the real world. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "Apple Just Debuted Powerful New Augmented Reality Features," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for demo

Verb

by shortening

Combining form

combining form from Greek dêmos "district, country, people, common people, political district in Attica," of uncertain origin

Note: Greek dêmos has traditionally been linked with Old Irish dám "guests, company, retinue," Old Welsh dauu, glossing Latin cliens (hence, presumably, "member of a retinue"), Modern Welsh daw, dawf "son-in-law." However, the semantic discrepancy between the two etyma is significant, and Celtic *dāmo-/*dāmā- has more recently been explained as going back to *dōmo-, a lengthened-grade adjectival derivative of Indo-European *dom-o-s, "house, household." The further traditional link with Indo-European *deh₂- "cut, divide" (whence Greek daíomai, daíesthai "to divide"; cf. tide entry 1), assuming a noun *deh₂-mos meaning originally "part, division," is still possible, though it would be deprived of any support beside Greek.