amplifier
Americannoun
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a person or thing that amplifies or enlarges.
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an electronic component or circuit for amplifying power, current, or voltage.
noun
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an electronic device used to increase the strength of the signal fed into it
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such a device used for the amplification of audio frequency signals in a radio, etc
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photog an additional lens for altering the focal length of a camera lens
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a person or thing that amplifies
Etymology
Origin of amplifier
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Explanation
An amplifier is a device that makes an electronic signal stronger, and it's most often used to increase the volume of musical instruments. If you play electric guitar in a rock band, you use an amplifier. In scientific terms, an amplifier can increase (or amplify) any type of signal, including magnetic signals and optical signals. When people talk about amplifiers, they usually mean the ones used by musicians and sound engineers. If you plug your electric bass guitar into an amplifier, you can make the sound loud enough that your next door neighbors will be able to hear it. You can call an amplifier an amp for short.
Vocabulary lists containing amplifier
1-2-3 Scream!
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"How Coach Told Me I Didn't Make the Cut" and "Bionics"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And, most crucially for Amplifier purposes, what will you listen to during it?
From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2024
Also, one last bit of news: Yesterday marked one year since the Amplifier launched!
From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2024
It’s Jon — I’m filling in for Lindsay today for a very special installment of The Amplifier.
From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2024
Before the 2023 midterm elections, PD.A partnered with nonprofit design lab Amplifier to create “Get Out the Vote” posters.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024
A Regenerative Audio Frequency Amplifier Receiving Set.—The use of amateur regenerative cascade audio frequency receiving sets is getting to be quite common.
From The Radio Amateur's Hand Book by Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
