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microphone

microphone

238 1.7
A device that changes sound into an electric signal for recording or amplification
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkrəˌfoʊn/
translation icon : micrófono
  • The singer adjusted the settings on her microphone before the performance began.
  • use a microphone
  • wireless microphone
  • headset microphone

And he was going, no, the microphone is not not working.

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Examples

  • Got to fix your microphone so people can hear ya.

  • Please form a line behind the microphone and approach.

  • I could not defend myself over the microphone on a public platform.

  • Now there is a little wireless microphone in the back.

  • The performance of the system with the microphone at 2 inches was highly acceptable.

    Academic text (1991)
  • They could step up to a microphone and give good advice.

  • Will the second contestant step up to the microphone?

  • In addition to video, voiceover can be recorded using a computer's internal microphone or an external microphone.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Students will need access to a computer with a built-in or external microphone and earphones.

    Academic text (2013)
  • During the meeting, I noticed that the microphone was not picking up my voice clearly.

Synonyms

mic
vsmicrophone
  • Informal
194 3.5

A small object that changes sound into electricity for recording or making sound louder

is the full technical term used in formal contexts
mike
vsmicrophone
  • Informal
19 5.2

A small device people speak into so others can hear

is the neutral technical name for that same device
directional microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A microphone that picks up sound mainly from one direction to reduce background noise

is the general term for any device converting sound to electrical signals
condenser microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A sensitive microphone that uses metal plates to turn sound into electrical signals and needs external power

is the general name that covers many conversion technologies
microphonic
vsmicrophone
  • Archaic
9.9

A device that turns sound into an electrical signal

is the usual modern general term for that same device
directional mike
vsmicrophone
  • Informal
5.1

A microphone that mostly picks up sound from one direction to reduce background noise

is the neutral, broader label for the general sound conversion device
shotgun microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
6.7

A long narrow microphone that picks up sound from one direction, often from far away

is the broad category that includes many directional and nondirectional types
shotgun mike
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
7.7

A long, narrow microphone that records sound clearly from one direction

refers more generally to any device that converts sound into signals
gun microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
7.5

A long, thin microphone that you point at a sound to record it from far away

is the general device term covering that and other designs
dynamic microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
3.6

A microphone that uses a small magnet and wire to change sound into electric signals

describes the wider class of devices regardless of how they convert sound
capacitor microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
6.9

A microphone that uses two metal plates, one that moves, to change sound into electrical signals

is the broad term for any sound to electrical signal converting device
capacitor mike
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
8.8

A microphone with a thin metal plate that moves with sound to record clear audio

is the neutral, general name for that class of sound converting devices
fiber optic microphone
vsmicrophone
  • Specialized
7.8

A device that uses light in a thin glass fiber to sense sound

is the generic term covering devices regardless of their sensing technology

Compounds

1 4.1

A microphone that picks up sound mainly from one direction to reduce background noise

condenser microphone
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A sensitive microphone that uses metal plates to turn sound into electrical signals and needs external power

capacitor microphone
  • Specialized
6.9

A microphone that uses two metal plates, one that moves, to change sound into electrical signals

cardioid microphone
  • Specialized
6.1

A microphone that picks up sound mostly from the front and sides, reducing sound from the back

contact microphone
  • Specialized
5.7

A small device that touches an object to record its vibrations

6.2

A device for recording or sending voices that uses a small crystal to change sound into an electrical signal

dynamic microphone
  • Specialized
3.6

A microphone that uses a small magnet and wire to change sound into electric signals

7.8

A device that uses light in a thin glass fiber to sense sound

5.6

A device that uses a magnet and a wire coil to change sound into an electric signal

microphone boom
  • Specialized
4.2

A long pole that holds a microphone above actors on a film or TV set out of the camera's view

5.1

A device that turns sound into electric signals using a coil and magnet

gun microphone
  • Specialized
7.5

A long, thin microphone that you point at a sound to record it from far away

shotgun microphone
  • Specialized
6.7

A long narrow microphone that picks up sound from one direction, often from far away

spike microphone
  • Specialized
9.9

A small microphone placed against a wall that picks up sounds on the other side

How Sensitive

condenser microphone
  • Specialized
1 4.9
microphone
238 1.7
dynamic microphone
  • Specialized
3.6

Surface Forms

microphone singular
microphones plural

Morphology

microphone = micro + phone

The word is built from recognizable classical combining forms, but its modern meaning as a sound-converting device is only partly predictable from micro- + phone.

Etymology

Microphone comes from Greek parts micro- meaning 'small' and -phone meaning 'sound' or 'voice', the same -phone you see in telephone. So, a microphone catches small sounds and turns them into electric signals so they can be recorded or heard through speakers.