echo

noun (1)

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\ 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 Phrases Containing echo Learn More About echo

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The comment was seen as an echo of Russian talking points, leading to a clash with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and prompting rebukes from Russia watchers. — Eugene Scott, Washington Post, 13 May 2022 Her view finds an echo with Mike Schultz, the House majority leader. — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 13 May 2022 As Los Angeles County’s coronavirus cases continue to climb, infections are rising fastest among wealthier residents, a likely echo of previous waves in which a greater rate of higher-income people became infected with the virus first. — Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2022 The handful of post-Paxlovid improvement stories now emerging echo what other long-haulers felt with the vaccines. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 10 May 2022 Laughter and music echo through the 8,500-square-foot house. — Lynsey Weatherspoon/redux For Cnn, CNN, 7 May 2022 Wayne is not the only Colt who feels an echo of Manning in Ryan’s presence. — Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 In other words, Stonehenge isn’t just a relic of the people who built it but an echo of the people who lived on the land long before them. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Butler is a quick and twitchy player who battles to the echo of the whistle. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The abuses in such institutions are well-documented and echo here as Johnny observes priests lurking among the other boys. — Washington Post, 10 May 2022 The black metal pendant joins other crisp black details, and the glass panes echo divided lights in the French doors. — Sarah Egge, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2022 Jerry Cox, founder and president of the Family Council in Arkansas, hailed the news and expressed hope that the final ruling will echo the draft opinion. — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 4 May 2022 The complaints echo concerns raised by public defenders in recent years. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2022 Ultimately, a strong community communicating within your ecosystem will create brand ambassadors who will echo your message on social media as well. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 2 May 2022 Fresh Covid outbreaks—and the government’s stringent policy to contain them—are spooking global investors who fear shutdowns in China will echo across the world by lowering demand and disrupting supply chains. — Fortune, 1 May 2022 The team’s findings confirmed that some aspects of canine behavior do seem quite heritable—and sometimes even echo kennel-club dogma. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2022 The fairytale gown captured the imagination of women the world over, and sealed her nascent status as a fashion icon whose style would echo through generations. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2022 See More

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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