talking machine

noun

: an early phonograph

Examples of talking machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So novel was the talking machine that many people refused to believe in its existence—understandably, since, up to that point in history, sound had been entirely ephemeral. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019 In the past fifty years, our talking machines have continued to evolve, but none of them have become as authentically malicious as HAL. Junot Díaz, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2018 There’s something about talking machines that just sets Mama’s nerves on edge. Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talking machine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of talking machine was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near talking machine

Cite this Entry

“Talking machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talking%20machine. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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