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Glite Dictionary
public address system

public address system

4 3.3
A system with microphones and speakers that makes announcements loud in public places
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌblɪk əˈdrɛs ˈsɪstəm/
translation icon : sistema de megafonía
  • During the emergency drill, the instructions were given over the public address system to ensure everyone could hear.
  • public address system at school

Examples

  • Through the public-address system, one of the flight attendants was instructing them on emergency procedures.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • There were a series of muffled announcements over the public address system.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Someone is testing the public address system.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Leadership activities include book talks online and over the public address system to classes.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The public address system's off, they can't hear us.

    Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge (1989)

  • As they left the building, they heard Jenny's name over the public-address system.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please!" the announcer's voice suddenly cut in over the public-address system.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • So he grabbed the microphone to the public address system and commanded the passengers to hear him.

    Blog text (30)

  • The announcements about the upcoming events were clearly heard through the public address system in the auditorium.

  • Every morning, the principal makes important announcements using the public address system in the school.

Synonyms

sound system
vspublic address system
30 3.5

A set of electronic devices that records, makes louder, or plays sound

is focused on public spoken announcements and components for that purpose
PA
vspublic address system
22 5.1

A set of microphones and speakers used to make announcements or play music in public

focuses specifically on spoken announcements rather than music
PA system
vspublic address system
7 2.8

A set of loud electronic speakers that plays announcements in public places

is the more detailed term listing specific components and use
speaker system
vspublic address system
4 2.7

A set of machines that make music or speech louder for a room

also emphasizes live speech projection and public announcement use
P.A. system
vspublic address system
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A set of speakers and microphones that make sound louder so many people can hear it

is the standard technical description focusing on microphones and loudspeakers
audio system
vspublic address system
3 3.4

Electronic devices used to play, record, or make sound louder

is specific to making spoken announcements in public spaces
loudspeaker system
vspublic address system
1 3.6

A set of speakers and parts that makes sound louder so people hear it far away

adds microphones and announcement purpose to that reproduction focus
P.A.
vspublic address system
  • Specialized
3.9

A sound system that makes speech or music louder so many people can hear

is narrower mainly used for making spoken announcements

How Loud

public address system
4 3.3
sound system
30 3.5
speaker
175 1.5
intercom
70 3.4

Surface Forms

public address system singular
public address systems plural

Morphology

public + address + system

The meaning 'an electronic system for making spoken announcements in public' is directly compositional from 'public' (open to everyone) + 'address' (a speech/announcement) + 'system' (a set of components). This combination follows straightforward English noun-noun composition and has clear cross-linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Public address system comes from the simple image of someone using a microphone to address, 'to speak to', the public, while loudspeakers and other equipment form the system that carries the voice. So it means 'equipment used to make announcements heard in public places'.