echo

noun (1)

\ ˈe-(ˌ)kō

plural echoes also echos

Definition of echo

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves

b : the sound due to such reflection

2a : a repetition or imitation of another : reflection

b : repercussion, result

c : trace, vestige

d : response

3 : one who closely imitates or repeats another's words, ideas, or acts

4 : a soft repetition of a musical phrase

5a : the repetition of a received radio signal due especially to reflection of part of the wave from an ionized layer of the atmosphere

b(1) : the reflection of transmitted radar signals by an object

(2) : the visual indication of this reflection on a radarscope

echo

verb

echoed; echoing\ ˈe-(ˌ)kō-iŋ

, ˈe-kə-wiŋ \

Definition of echo (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to resound with echoes

2 : to produce an echo

transitive verb

1a : repeat, imitate children echoing their teacher's words

b : to restate in support or agreement his successor echoed his opinion

c : to be reminiscent of : evoke music that echoes an earlier time

2 : to send back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves

Echo

noun (2)

\ ˈe-(ˌ)kō

Definition of Echo (Entry 3 of 4)

: a nymph in Greek mythology who pines away for love of Narcissus until nothing is left of her but her voice

Echo

communications code word

Definition of Echo (Entry 4 of 4)

—used as a code word for the letter e

Other Words from echo Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about echo

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Examples of echo in a Sentence

Noun (1)

We shouted into the canyon and listened to the echo of our voices. the echo of footsteps in the hall His work contains echoes of older and greater poets. The book's title is an echo of a line from an old folk song. The crime is a chilling echo of the murders that shocked the city two years ago.

Verb

The music echoed through the church. Laughter echoed across the lake. Their voices echoed in the hall. His warnings are echoed by many other experts in the field. “It's in Rome.” “In Rome?” she echoed. Others have echoed her criticisms. The book's title echoes a line from an old folk song. The crime echoes last year's shocking murders.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But echoes of the crime still follow the McNair family. — David Crary, The Seattle Times, "Bomb scare rattles those touched by past political violence," 27 Oct. 2018 Like a flag, the towering beehive symbolizes Winehouse’s performative side, an echo of other images peppered throughout of some of her most iconic performances (in good and bad ways) for which Wood was present. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Amy Winehouse Is Finally Free in a New Book of Photographs," 10 Aug. 2018 The echoes of the burst of illnesses suffered by US diplomats in Cuba may add to those complications. — Chris Buckley And Gardiner Harris, BostonGlobe.com, "American in China falls ill after ‘abnormal’ sounds," 23 May 2018 The echoes of his decisions as chief justice still reverberate in our era. — Kepler’s Books, San Francisco Chronicle, "Recommendations from Kepler’s Books," 12 Apr. 2018 Against the flux of time, these wines are an echo of the land, with each custodian of the vineyards not necessarily making the same wine from decade to decade, but searching for a similarly elusive result: the essence of Valtellina. — Christopher Ross, WSJ, "The Hidden Valley in the Italian Alps Where Winemakers Are Working Against Nature," 15 Feb. 2019 Some of these projects are echoes of past plans derailed by recession. — Scott Wilson, The Seattle Times, "Once flat and wide on the frontier, Western cityscapes are now rising tall and sleek," 4 Feb. 2019 In a way, Trump’s entire brief political career has been an echo of Barr. — Dara Lind, Vox, "William Barr hearing: attorney general nominee’s immigration record aligns with Trump’s," 16 Jan. 2019 Kerry's remarks were an echo of far-left Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "John Kerry condemns bids to 'destroy' presidents, then suggests Trump unfit for office," 10 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Additionally, the minimal design and wide range of color options echo Rubio’s personal taste and affinity for investment pieces. — Vogue, "Away’s Jet-Setting Cofounder Packs Like a Pro, Shops on the Go," 15 Mar. 2019 The shock to the country’s public consciousness will echo for years and may be felt world-wide. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Rampage in New Zealand," 15 Mar. 2019 Grant did not reveal the source behind his information about the taping, but an audience member echoed his claims while speaking to Triple M's Kennedy Molloy. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "‘The Voice Australia’ Comes Under Fire for Holding the Audience ‘Against Their Will’," 13 Mar. 2019 But Barr wasn’t just echoing Trump (and his predecessor as attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who ran the Department of Justice as an incubator for new ideas in immigration crackdowns). — Dara Lind, Vox, "William Barr hearing: attorney general nominee’s immigration record aligns with Trump’s," 16 Jan. 2019 Celebrities who have worn Marchesa in 2018 have echoed Chopra's sentiments. — Halie Lesavage, Glamour, "Priyanka Chopra Explained Why She Wore a Marchesa Gown to Her Bridal Shower," 30 Oct. 2018 Mayor Adler and the Austin councilman, Greg Casar, echoed Mr. de Blasio’s message and denied that they had been detained at any point. — New York Times, "Federal Officials Claim de Blasio Crossed Border Illegally," 11 July 2018 James Nelson, 46, lives near the Stewards and echoed their point. — Gregory Pratt, chicagotribune.com, "Curbless Depression-era streets prompted Chicago alderman's vote against Obama Presidential Center," 6 July 2018 Margaret Weitekamp, curator of the space history department at the Smithsonian National Air Space Museum, echoes Gates’ assessment. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "When Pan Am Promised To Fly Us To the Moon," 28 Feb. 2019

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

First Known Use of echo

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1595, in the meaning defined above

Communications code word

1952, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for echo

Noun (1)

Middle English ecco, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French echo, from Latin, from Greek ēchō; akin to Latin vagire to wail, Greek ēchē sound

Noun (2)

Greek Ēchō

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