amplifier

American  

[am-pluh-fahy-er] / ˈæm pləˌfaɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that amplifies or enlarges.

2. an electronic component or circuit for amplifying power, current, or voltage.

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amplifier British  

/ ˈæmplɪˌfaɪə /

noun

1. an electronic device used to increase the strength of the signal fed into it

2. such a device used for the amplification of audio frequency signals in a radio, etc

3. photog an additional lens for altering the focal length of a camera lens

4. a person or thing that amplifies

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amplifier Cultural  

1. In electronics, a device that takes a small electric signal and converts it into a large one. Amplifiers are used in stereo systems, electric guitars, and loudspeakers.

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Etymology

Origin of amplifier

First recorded in 1540–50; amplify + -er ¹

Compare meaning

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

• preamplifier vs. amplifier

Example Sentences

A few paces away, Jerry Garcia’s “Budman” amplifier, once part of the Grateful Dead’s three-story high “Wall of Sound,” perched atop a podium.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

In principle, such a plasma can act as an energy amplifier, producing far more energy than it takes to create and sustain it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Conventional signals are refreshed roughly every 50 kilometers using an optical amplifier.

From Science Daily • Nov. 29, 2025

Stereos used to have an amplifier and then a turntable and then speakers and all of these different things.

From Slate • Aug. 13, 2025

But alive, he was invaluable to their mission, trained to use his amplifier gifts to sense Grisha power through touch.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo