echo

noun \ ˈe-(ˌ)kō \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: echo in a Sentence

Definition of echo

plural echoes also echos

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

b : the sound due to such reflection

2 a : 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

5 a : 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

—

echoey

play \ˈe-ˌkō-ē\ adjective

See echo defined for English-language learners

See echo defined for kids

Examples of echo in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of echo from the Web

By firing radio waves and measuring their echo, the satellite reveals greater detail than a photograph.

— New York Times, "Deep in the Desert, Iran Quietly Advances Missile Technology," 23 May 2018
The echoes from 2014 -- needing a third quarterback because of multiple injuries -- is a worst-case scenario.

— tim bielik, cleveland.com, "Former Ohio State offensive lineman Matthew Burrell transferring to Sam Houston State," 8 May 2018
In an echo of her work with Kossola, Hurston’s own life story was buried for a time, and the writer risked slipping into obscurity.

— anna diamond, Smithsonian, "Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Barracoon’ Tells the Story of the Slave Trade’s Last Survivor," 2 May 2018
The book describes how Keating and other scientists identified what appeared to be an echo of the Big Bang, but was actually just dust.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's scientists span the globe to unearth new discoveries, solve deepest mysteries," 15 Apr. 2018
Each choice made echoes throughout the rest of the game, a not entirely new concept in gaming (Quantic Dream has explored this theme in past titles such as 2010's Heavy Rain), but until Detroit, it had not been realized to such a degree.

— patrick shanley, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Detroit: Become Human' — Game Review," 24 May 2018
These shows join a number of series that have roots in the Sept. 11 terror attacks but which harbor echoes of the formula that held sway in the '70s.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Condor' lands as '70s-style paranoid thrillers migrate to TV," 24 May 2018
The first episode sees three of the four adult kids, two men and a woman (echoes of James, Lachlan and Liz?) maneuvering to take on the top slot at the family company, with the expectation that Dad's going to step down soon.

— claire atkinson, NBC News, "HBO's "Succession" party arrives just in time for real-life media intrigue," 23 May 2018
Courier-Journal/USA TODAY Network/Wochit Today, Logan Street Market is home to an echo and a heavy coffee smell.

— maggie menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville's first public market to open in Shelby Park in October," 23 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of echo

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

echo Synonyms

Synonyms

ghost, relic, shadow, trace, vestige;

Related Words

memento, remembrance, reminder;

artifact;

afterimage, aftertaste;

balance, corpse, hangover, leftover, oddment, remainder, remnant, scrap;

dreg(s), leavings, remain(s), residual, residue, rest;

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

echo

verb

Definition of echo

echoed; echoing play \ˈe-(ˌ)kō-iŋ, ˈe-kə-wiŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to resound with echoes

2 : to produce an echo

transitive verb

1 a : 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

See echo defined for English-language learners

Examples of echo in a Sentence

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 of echo from the Web

The scandal echoed problems that surfaced in recent years in other national parks and in some instances prompted personnel changes, but Wenk said that was never brought up in the discussions about transferring him to a new post.

— matthew brown, chicagotribune.com, "Yellowstone head says Trump administration forcing him out. The reason: too many bison.," 7 June 2018
Parker met with reporters Wednesday for the first time since the feud escalated, and echoed what Loggains said a short time earlier: Sports Highlights Up Next: Will Kalen Ballage revive the Wildcat formation for the Dolphins?

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "DeVante Parker didn't need to fire back at Chris Chambers. The organization (politely) did so for him," 6 June 2018
Logan, who plays Samantha White on Dear White People echoed the difficulties of finding quality opportunities in the entertainment industry.

— claire dodson, Teen Vogue, "Dear White People, Orange Is the New Black Actors Talk Representation in Hollywood," 2 June 2018
Chris Evans, president of the College Media Association, said the numbers echo his organization’s own research on threats to independent journalism at universities.

— jack jenkins religion news service, Houston Chronicle, "Students’ survey highlights censorship of Christian college newspapers," 12 May 2018
During the latter stages of the game, Leicester fans gave the Arsenal boss a standing ovation as 'There's Only One Arsène Wenger' echoed around the King Power Stadium.

— SI.com, "Arsène Wenger Frustrated With Leicester Defeat & Blasts 'Imaginative' Penalty Decision," 10 May 2018
The allegations echo similar claims Walders made against Sakell, his former teaching assistant, last year.

— morgan cook, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SDSU choral director sues former students, claims defamation regarding alleged affair with student," 4 May 2018
Everything about their relationship just felt very natural, Olivia echoes.

— john dolan, Harper's BAZAAR, "BAZAAR.com's Olivia Fleming Married Matt Rubin in the Ultimate Barn Wedding," 25 Apr. 2018
Stained glass windows in the upstairs addition echo their style.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Think Sacramento feels like Iowa? They'd agree | The Sacramento Bee," 21 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of echo

1596

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

echo Synonyms

Echo

noun \ ˈe-(ˌ)kō \

Definition of Echo

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

Origin and Etymology of echo

Greek Ēchō

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1595

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

Echo

communications code word

Definition of Echo

—used as a code word for the letter e

First Known Use of echo

1952

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

ECHO Defined for English Language Learners

echo

noun

Definition of echo for English Language Learners

: a sound that is a copy of another sound and that is produced when sound waves bounce off a surface (such as a wall)
: something (such as a feature or quality) that repeats or resembles something else
: something that is similar to something that happened or existed before

echo

verb

Definition of echo for English Language Learners

: to be filled with sounds and especially with echoes
: to fill a space, area, etc., with sounds and especially with echoes
: to repeat (what someone else has said or written)

ECHO Defined for Kids

echo

noun \ ˈe-kō \

Definition of echo for Students

plural echoes

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

echo

verb

Definition of echo for Students

echoed; echoing

1 : to send back or repeat a sound

2 : to repeat another's words

Medical Dictionary

echo

noun \ ˈek-(ˌ)ō \

medical Definition of echo

plural echoes also echos

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

2 : the sound that is due to reflection of sound waves

—

echo

verb echoed; echoing play \ˈek-(ˌ)ō-iŋ, ˈek-ə-wiŋ\

echo

abbreviation

medical Definition of echo

echocardiogram; echocardiography

Learn More about echo

See words that rhyme with echo Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for echo Spanish Central: Translation of echo Nglish: Translation of echo for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of echo for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about echo

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echo

Definition of echo

echoey

Examples of echo in a Sentence

Recent Examples of echo from the Web

Origin and Etymology of echo

echo Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Physics Terms

echo

Definition of echo

Examples of echo in a Sentence

Recent Examples of echo from the Web

First Known Use of echo

echo Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Echo

Definition of Echo

Origin and Etymology of echo

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

Echo

Definition of Echo

First Known Use of echo

Other Alphabet Terms

ECHO Defined for English Language Learners

echo

Definition of echo for English Language Learners

echo

Definition of echo for English Language Learners

ECHO Defined for Kids

echo

Definition of echo for Students

echo

Definition of echo for Students

Medical Dictionary

echo

medical Definition of echo

echo

echo

medical Definition of echo

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