record player

American  

noun

1. phonograph.

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record player British  

noun

1. a device for reproducing the sounds stored on a record, consisting of a turntable, usually electrically driven, that rotates the record at a fixed speed of 33, 45, or (esp formerly) 78 revolutions a minute. A stylus vibrates in accordance with undulations in the groove in the record: these vibrations are converted into electric currents, which, after amplification, are recreated in the form of sound by one or more loudspeakers See also monophonic quadraphonics stereophonic

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Etymology

Origin of record player

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does record-player compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• phonograph vs. record player

Example Sentences

He powers his record player and the modest lighting in his tiny underground bunker using a hand-cranked generator.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

Among the good doctor’s many artifacts are a record player and vinyl LPs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

It has a cozy vibe — there’s a fireplace in the clubhouse and a record player with Tyler, the Creator’s “Igor” album on it, alongside a wall full of trypophobia-inducing fiberglass-and-foam padel rackets.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

To explore these tiny realms, scientists turn to a scanning tunnelling microscope, which operates much like a record player.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

Afterward, Papa would turn on his record player, and all the kids would have a cricket game outside until we came in exhausted and lay our heads on the floor.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani