playback

1 of 2

noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak 

: 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

Noun

The Dynamic Island is also home to what Apple calls Live Activities, which include music playback controls, certain app notifications that contain real-time updates (such as for package deliveries), and live sports scores. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Apple officially claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Verb

In Week 8, Lamar Jackson was returning from his ankle injury against the Buffalo Bills, but he was injured on his first play back. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

She was isolated and pulled the play back out to the perimeter for a potential pick, but turned quickly and went to the rim, absorbing the contact from Williams. — AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for playback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

playback

1 of 2 noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak 

: 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)