tonearm

noun

tone·​arm ˈtōn-ˌärm How to pronounce tonearm (audio)
: the movable part of a phonograph or record player that carries the pickup and permits the needle to follow the record groove

Examples of tonearm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Long-pressing these buttons will keep the tonearm moving beyond the presets – stopping a little after button release to lower the stylus. New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026 The company says the longer, hybrid tonearm supports full adjustability for both azimuth and vertical tracking angle (VTA) and reduces distortion, especially on inner grooves. Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026 Record players are endlessly fascinating devices, with hundreds of varieties spanning every imaginable plinth, platter, tonearm, and cartridge combination and nearly every aesthetic and budget. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026 Its carbon-fiber tonearm and damped aluminum platter reduce resonance for clearer, more dynamic sound, while the pre-mounted cartridge keeps setup refreshingly straightforward. Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tonearm

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonearm was in 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Tonearm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonearm. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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