recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯr-dər 

1

a

: the chief judicial magistrate of some British cities and boroughs

b

: a municipal judge with criminal jurisdiction of first instance and sometimes limited civil jurisdiction

2

: one that records

3

: any of a group of wind instruments ranging from soprano to bass that are characterized by a conical tube, a whistle mouthpiece, and eight finger holes

Illustration of recorder

• recorder 3

Examples of recorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Forensic mechanical expert Mark Sargent concluded that, based on the car’s event data recorder, the vehicle’s accelerator pedal was fully depressed with no application of the brake just seconds before the collision. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 31 July 2025

This story was updated to include correct information on the city recorder taking early retirement. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 23 July 2025

This transforms the device from a recorder to a workflow optimizer, with meeting insights automatically syncing to CRMs, team channels, and cloud storage, eliminating the need for manual data entry. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

After reviewing the data, ICC officials are recommending the installation of new automatic flashing light signals, gates with bells, an event recorder, a remote monitor and constant warning track circuits, according to a report prepared by inspectors. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recorder

• cockpit voice recorder
• flight data recorder
• flight recorder
• strip-chart recorder
• tape recorder
• videocassette recorder
• videotape recorder
• wire recorder

Rhymes for recorder

• camcorder
• disorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder
• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder

Kids Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯrd-ər 

1

: a person or device that records

2

: a musical instrument consisting of a usually wooden tube with finger holes and a whistle mouthpiece

Legal Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er

1

: a judge of a municipal court

2

: a public officer charged with making a record of writings or transactions (as conveyances)

a recorder of deeds