stereo
English meaning: Stereo
Definition
A system of recording or reproducing sound that uses two channels, each playing a portion of the original sound in such a way as to create the illusion of locating the sound at a particular position, each offset from the other, thereby more accurately imitating the location of the original sound when the recorded or reproduced sound is heard.
Example
“The new album sounds wonderful through a good stereo.”
Another example: “He turned up the car stereo as they drove down the coast.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral; a noun for sound reproduction using two channels, and by extension a home sound system; also an adjective ('stereo sound'). Slightly dated as a noun for the device, replaced by 'speaker' or 'sound system'. Common in audio and music contexts.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
Shortened from 'stereophonic', from Greek 'stereos' (solid, three-dimensional) + 'phone' (sound); mid-20th century.
Synonyms
- binaural
- stereophonic
- biaural
- two-channel
- stereophonic system
- stereoscopic photograph
- stereoscopic picture
- stereo system
Antonyms / Opposites
- mono
- monophonic
Related Words
- quadraphonic
- mono
- stereophonic
- headphone
- dolby
- changer
- headphones
- surround
- pcm
- bluetooth
Common Collocations
- stereo sound
- stereo system
- car stereo
- in stereo
- stereo speakers
- portable stereo
Word Forms
stereo (n & adj); stereos (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B