demo

play

noun \ ˈde-(ˌ)mō \

Definition of demo

plural demos

1 capitalized :democrat 2

2 a :demonstration 1b

b British :demonstration 4

3 a :demonstrator 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 2

See demo defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of demo from the Web

Diligent K-beauty lovers identified the mask in question as the Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask, Lucy Hale did a demo, and ever since, more brands have followed suit with their own versions.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "This Is What Bubble Masks Actually Do for Your Skin," 30 Aug. 2017
One odd feature in the demo Fortune was shown was the ability to distribute files to media organizations such as The New York Times and CNN—and Wikileaks.

— david meyer, Fortune, "Exclusive: An Inside Look at Kim Dotcom’s Bitcoin-Based Payments Platform," 29 Aug. 2017
When making her worldwide debut at 16 years old, the company shipped her demo tracks.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "UPS has Taylor-made trucks for Taylor Swift's new album, 'Reputation'," 29 Aug. 2017
The Kingsglaive tech demo requires over 12 teraflops of processing power, more than is found in Nvidia's $1,000/£1,000 Titan Xp graphics card.

— mark walton, Ars Technica, "Final Fantasy 15 on PC: Has Square Enix lost its way, or do graphics really matter?," 25 Aug. 2017
The large car demo derby will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Demo derby: Boone County fair promises smashing good time," 20 July 2017
A music executive sent him a demo from the band Xero, which needed a lead singer.

— Washington Post, "Chester Bennington, frontman of rock band Linkin Park, is dead at 41," 20 July 2017
Officials rules of the Boone County Fair's demo derbies are available at http://bit.ly/2vfPCJw.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Demo derby: Boone County fair promises smashing good time," 20 July 2017
The event begins with an up-close demo on breaking down a whole hog, accompanied by drinks and snacks, and is followed by a multi-course dinner of local, organic, heritage pork.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "Chik'n & Mi adds Asian inspired brunch, learn to butcher a pig & more restaurant news," 19 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of demo

1793

demo Synonyms

Synonyms

rally [British], demonstration

Related Words

assembly, conference, congress, convention, convocation, council, gathering; march; protest, sit-down, sit-in, strike; counterdemonstration, counterprotest, counterrally

demo

verb

Definition of demo

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

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 ¹demo 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

Origin and Etymology of demo

by shortening

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First Known Use: 1969

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