vocoder

noun

vo·​cod·​er ˈvō-ˈkō-dər 

: an electronic mechanism that reduces speech signals to slowly varying signals transmittable over communication systems of limited frequency bandwidth

Examples of vocoder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The two-minute track bleeds into the title track, which highlights one of the EP’s main issues – the overuse of autotune and vocoders. — Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

There’s a way to use vocoder and elicit emotion—see Bon Iver or Rosalía—but MORI’s technique shrinks the warmth of his bari-bass to a barely intelligible mumble. — E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026

Following the release of their debut album, the United States of America broke up, but Byrd continued to make music, including 1969’s The American Metaphysical Circus, featuring his early use of both the synthesizer and vocoder. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2025

The use of vocoder fosters a discourse on performance, artifice, and camp. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

voice coder

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vocoder

• decoder
• encoder
• unloader
• coder
• loader
• odor
• odour