gramophone

American  

[gram-uh-fohn] / ˈgræm əˌfoʊn /

noun

1. a phonograph.

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gramophone British  

/ ˌɡræməˈfɒnɪk, ˈɡræməˌfəʊn /

noun

1. 1. US and Canadian name: phonograph.  Also called: acoustic gramophone.  a device for reproducing the sounds stored on a record: now usually applied to the nearly obsolete type that uses a clockwork motor and acoustic horn

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gramophone record

2. the technique and practice of recording sound on disc

   the gramophone has made music widely available

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Other Word Forms

• gramophonic adjective
• gramophonical adjective
• gramophonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of gramophone

First recorded in 1887; originally a trademark; apparently inversion of phonogram now obsolete name for a phonographic cylinder

Compare meaning

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

• phonograph vs. gramophone

Example Sentences

In 1887 German-American inventor Emile Berliner invented the flat shellac disk, quickly saw its advantage for mass production, and patented a device to play them, the gramophone, that same year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Bad Bunny, who won the Album of the Year prize a week ago, presented the child -- perhaps a younger version of himself -- with a golden gramophone.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Her golden gramophone trophy marks her out as one of pop's most promising new names, joining former best new artist winners like Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Adele and Olivia Rodrigo.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Some elements of the stage – like the gramophone in the middle – will remain the same.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2024

Card playing, guessing games, impersonations, listening to gramophone records, slide lectures, reading aloud—the men found ways of entertaining themselves and keeping their thoughts occupied in the long, dark winter months.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• stereo