stereo

noun ste·reo \ ˈster-ē-ˌō , ˈstir- \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of stereo

plural stereos

1 : stereotype

[by shortening]

a : stereophonic reproduction

b : a stereophonic sound system

See stereo defined for English-language learners

See stereo defined for kids

Recent Examples of stereo from the Web

With a combination of high-resolution cameras, stereo images, altimeters, and spectrometers, Mars Express has revealed Mars in new and fascinating ways.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Mars Express has revealed the Red Planet in stunning new ways," 1 June 2018
Stalls selling shoes, handbags, toothpaste and half-price stereo systems are illuminated in the gloom, while the smell of soap mixed with cheap perfume fills the air.

— The Economist, "Singapore’s Brutalist past could soon be gone," 31 May 2018
In short, the stereo would benefit from a complete redesign as well, but General Motors must have bought a 20-year contract with whatever supplier makes this thing.

— scott sturgis, Philly.com, "Chevrolet Traverse remains spacious after redesign," 24 May 2018
Drawing in his notebook, listening to thrash metal on his bedroom stereo and going on ankle-bracelet-free runs around his working-class, mixed-race neighborhood help Keith clear his head.

— robert abele, latimes.com, "‘Sollers Point,’ a fresh take on working-class struggles and race in Trump country," 25 May 2018
Most automakers operate processing centers in the port, where incoming vehicles receive owner’s manuals, stereos and other accessories before being shipped to dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic states and beyond.

— colin campbell, baltimoresun.com, "From Jaguars to 'junkers,' Baltimore longshoremen are first and last behind the wheel," 21 May 2018
The 45-year-old from Ocala has fully rebuilt the motor and installed a 3,000-watt stereo system, prepping the vehicle for competitions throughout Central Florida.

— marco santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Muscle cars, souped-up bikes flood Ace Cafe for Orlando venue's 1st anniversary," 19 May 2018
The Lincoln had been stripped of its rims and stereo and was found in his garage, according to officials.

— howard ludwig, Daily Southtown, "Chicago man found guilty in 2011 Harvey carjacking that killed mother of 6," 17 May 2018
Unknown is whether the target is the vehicle itself or some expensive item inside the vehicle, such as the stereo system or the navigation system.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "Stolen Ram truck found in Detroit after heist, 7 Rams missing," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stereo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stereo

circa 1823

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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stereo

adjective

Definition of stereo

1 a : stereoscopic

b : produced by or as if by means of a stereotype

2 : stereophonic

See stereo defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of stereo from the Web

But one barometer never lies: the distinct boom of the speakers outfitted onto the cars driving down your block with windows open and stereo blaring.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Cardi B’s ‘I Like It’ Is the Song of the Summer," 29 May 2018
Our review unit included 16GB of DDR4-2400MHz RAM, 256GB of storage in the form of a M.2 2280 PCIe SSD, stereo speakers, a Killer 1435 802.11ac 2×2 network adapter for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a 75WHr battery.

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 review: Meet the child of Intel and AMD’s unholy union," 23 May 2018
The first step was to follow up on an old lead: stereo equipment that belonged to the victim's older brother, John-Paul Weidner, which was stolen from the Weidners' house at the time of the murder.

— kristine guerra, Indianapolis Star, "From the archives: Amy Weidner's 1989 cold-case murder solved by IMPD officer Bill Carter via Facebook," 17 Apr. 2014
Play some tunes: Mazda’s stereo sound remains excellent, about an A-, and among the best down here in the low end of the range.

— scott sturgis, Philly.com, "Mazda takes a good thing - its CX-5 - and tinkers with it," 17 Apr. 2018
This model has stereo speakers on the bottom (the iPad Pro has a better speaker configuration).

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "2018 iPad review: Content creation with compromises," 6 Apr. 2018
The neighbors across the street have been blasting their stereo nonstop.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018
Both phones now have stereo speakers, a boost from last year’s model.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "Review: Samsung Didn't Change Much With the Galaxy S9 — And That's Great," 8 Mar. 2018
They're packed with top-notch cameras and stereo capabilities even rockstars would find impressive.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "Meet The iPhone X's Biggest Rival: Samsung's Galaxy S9+," 8 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of stereo

1876

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

STEREO Defined for English Language Learners

stereo

noun

Definition of stereo for English Language Learners

: a piece of electronic equipment that plays the radio, CDs, etc., and that uses two speakers for the sound
: a way of recording and playing back sound so that the sound comes from two directions