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

The sound of echoes and loud footsteps can be dulled with rugs and noise-buffering layers. — oregonlive.com, "Secrets of a broke housekeeper-turned-multimillionaire: Designer Jennifer Adams returns to Portland," 25 June 2019 The results of AP’s lab testing echo what authorities have found, according to a survey of law enforcement agencies in all 50 states. — BostonGlobe.com, "That’s because what he was vaping didn’t have any CBD, the suddenly popular compound extracted from the cannabis plant that marketers say can treat a range of ailments without getting users high. Instead, the oil was spiked with a powerful street drug.," 17 Sep. 2019 And folks will arrive at AT&T Park on Tuesday already seeing echoes of last season, when the team finished 31st in the majors in runs scored and RBIs, and dead last in home runs. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Giants’ offensive, defensive struggles: merely kinks or harbingers?," 3 Apr. 2018 Many see echoes between the Skripal case and the killing of Litvinenko, which a British inquiry concluded was the work of the Russian state, probably on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. — Fox News, "British PM: Russia 'highly likely' behind ex-spy's poisoning," 12 Mar. 2018 This show has two examples of this work, plus expressive pieces by Anne Bouie, Lilian Burwell, Sheila Crider and Barbara Frank that echo Platt’s eclectic mode, if not his particular method. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: ‘Habitats’ at Target Gallery showcases the nature of creativity," 6 Sep. 2019 An echo of Barbie Ferreira’s lime green liner, the inner corner of Normani’s almond gaze played host to a pop of pink which, along with ample lashes and a nude lip, served to take her above-neck look to a new level entirely. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Normani’s Towering Topknot Is Out to Elevate the Updo Game," 6 Sep. 2019 In their red vest theater uniforms, Charlie and Jessica echo Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) and Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette), who met while working in the theater in season 1. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "Is Charlie Saint Of 13 Reasons Why Just Another Toxic Athlete?," 24 Aug. 2019 As the journey moves from land to hastily built raft (and unapologetic echoes of Mark Twain), the two form a genuine bond that gives the movie its heart. — Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, "‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’: Where to see groundbreaking buddy film in South Florida," 22 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Protesters have called for the company to cancel its data processing contract with ICE, calls that were echoed by some of Microsoft's own employees last year. — Fox News, "Dozens of anti-ICE protesters arrested at NYC Microsoft store," 15 Sep. 2019 Those sentiments were echoed by United supporters, who took to Twitter to express their feelings, with swathes of praise heading the midfielder's way for an superb showing in the centre of the park. — SI.com, "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford's Penalties & Man Utd's Win Over Leicester," 15 Sep. 2019 Some of his concerns were echoed by the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the other large teachers union. — Patrick O'donnell, cleveland.com, "State would take over schools after six years of failing to improve, under new plan," 10 Sep. 2019 Those objections were echoed by other Republicans on the committee. — Laura Litvan, Fortune, "Congress Stalled as GOP Waits for Trump’s Move on Gun Control," 10 Sep. 2019 That sentiment was echoed by other African leaders. — Krista Mahr, Los Angeles Times, "Loved and loathed, Robert Mugabe leaves a controversial legacy in Zimbabwe and Africa," 6 Sep. 2019 In an unusual display of bipartisanship, Hood’s concern over the state’s struggling reform effort was echoed by other top Mississippi officials. — Jerry Mitchell, ProPublica, "We Reported on Troubled Prisons. Now, Officials and a Gang Have a Shared Goal: Reform.," 6 Sep. 2019 That suggestion was echoed by Dr. Jean Moorjani, a pediatrician at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital, who explained to USA Today that patients typically take two weeks to be fully protected after receiving the shot. — Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, "Should I Get a Flu Shot Already? Everything You Need to Know About the Vaccine," 5 Sep. 2019 That was a sentiment echoed by several workers and union representatives in the construction industry. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Colorado weighs a major overhaul on overtime rules," 2 Sep. 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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