PA system
7
2.8
- noun
- /piː eɪ ˈsɪstəm/
:
sistema de megafonía
- During the concert, the band used a PA system to amplify their music for the audience.
I mean, just imagine a, imagine what, how little need be said over the PA system of an airplane that's flying to provoke an absolute emergency.
- I mean, just imagine a, imagine what, how little need be said over the PA system of an airplane that's flying to provoke an absolute emergency.
Examples
-
I'll double-check the PA system.
-
Turn on the PA system.
-
I need to use your PA system.
-
I just put this new PA system in.
-
The principal informed us of the disaster over the PA system.
Blog text (30) -
The police used the PA systems of the vehicles to give directions since the power was out at the stadium.
Blog text (2) -
College names were presented on the scoreboards and over the PA system.
Academic text (2005) -
Norman was about to ask whether there was anything else when the PA system crackled.
Fiction book (2002) -
At the beginning of second period, the principal came on the PA system and said that crisis counselors were available for those who wished to speak to them.
Fiction book (1996) -
Suddenly, Mr. Himbry's voice was amplified through intercoms across campus via the PA system.
Fiction book (1996)
Synonyms
30
3.5
A set of electronic devices that records, makes louder, or plays sound
22
5.1
A set of microphones and speakers used to make announcements or play music in public
4
3.3
A system with microphones and speakers that makes announcements loud in public places
4
2.7
A set of machines that make music or speech louder for a room
3
3.4
A set of speakers and microphones that make sound louder so many people can hear it
3
3.4
Electronic devices used to play, record, or make sound louder
1
3.6
A set of speakers and parts that makes sound louder so people hear it far away
A sound system that makes speech or music louder so many people can hear
How Loud
7
2.8
23
3.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning of 'PA system' is directly compositional: 'PA' (an amplification/setup for announcements) combined with 'system' (a collection of components) yields an amplification system for public announcements. This follows a straightforward noun+noun compounding pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
PA system comes from the words PA and system, where PA stands for 'public address'. Imagine someone speaking into a microphone and speakers sending the sound across a room, and that's why PA system means 'a sound system used to make announcements'.