playback

1 of 2

noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak How to pronounce playback (audio)
: an act or instance of reproducing recorded sound or pictures often immediately after recording

play back

2 of 2

verb

played back; playing back; plays back

transitive verb

: to perform a playback of (a usually recently recorded disc or tape)

Examples of playback in a Sentence

Noun The band listened to a playback of their first recording.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
For those who enjoy listening to music from playlists, the provision of gapless playback at levels up to 24-bit/192kHz. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 The company also recently announced major project updates to YouTube that include a sleep timer, customizable playback speeds, the ability to create custom playlist thumbnails using generative AI and more. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
However, moving the mute button to the left makes way for a new loop button: Currently, videos automatically repeat forever when played back in Google Photos. Paul Monckton, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Big Brother star Rubina Bernabe is scared to watch her showmance play back on TV Makensy’s risky decision would come down to whether the jury valued her 10 competition wins more, or respected Chelsie’s strategic chops and ability to manipulate others (like Makensy) into doing her bidding. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for playback 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playback was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near playback

Cite this Entry

“Playback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playback. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

playback

1 of 2 noun
play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak How to pronounce playback (audio)
: the action of reproducing recorded sound or pictures often immediately after recording

play back

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)plā-ˈbak
: to perform a playback of (a disc or tape)

More from Merriam-Webster on playback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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