amplification

American  

[am-pluh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌæm plə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of amplifying or the state of being amplified.

2. expansion of a statement, narrative, etc., as for rhetorical purposes.

   In the revision, the story underwent considerable amplification.

3. a statement, narrative, etc., so expanded.

   The text of the second edition was an amplification.

4. the matter or substance used to expand an idea, statement, or the like.

   He added an extra paragraph to his speech as an amplification.

5. Electricity. increase in the strength of current, voltage, or power.

6. Genetics. gene amplification.

---

amplification British  

/ ˌæmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or result of amplifying

2. material added to a statement, story, etc, in order to expand or clarify it

3. a statement, story, etc, with such additional material

4. electronics

   1. the increase in strength of an electrical signal by means of an amplifier

   2. another word for gain 1

5. Also called: gene amplification.  genetics the production of multiple copies of a particular gene or DNA sequence. It can occur naturally or artificially, by genetic engineering techniques

---

amplification Scientific  

/ ăm′plə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. An increase in the magnitude or strength of an electric current, a force, or another physical quantity, such as a radio signal.

---

Etymology

Origin of amplification

First recorded in 1540–50, amplification is from the Latin word amplificātiōn- (stem of amplificātiō ). See ample, -i-, -fication

Example Sentences

Without a bullhorn or any sort of amplification, Bovino informed the crowd that they were being dispersed.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

"Iran has crafted a wartime propaganda strategy tailored for the age of AI slop and algorithmic amplification," Joseph Bodnar, a senior research manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

It was spectacularly tested at the hall’s 10th anniversary, but with tacky prerecorded video and crummy amplification.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

It took the combination of shellac discs, electronic amplification and an automatic record-changer for National Automatic Music Company to manufacture the first 20-song multiplay machines in 1927.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Arrangements were made for press coverage, for sound amplification, and for a coast-to-coast radio hookup that would broadcast the concert to the nation.

From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• elaboration