amplifier
Americannoun
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amplifiers
plural
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of amplifier
Compare meaning
How does amplifier compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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
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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.
See Examples For:
A standard kit includes two subwoofers, an amplifier and a timing module, with costs ranging from $600 to $1,000 per unit, depending on accessories.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
The gig was organised as part of a promotion for an amplifier manufacturer.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
The implant also includes a low-noise amplifier and an optical encoder, both built with the same type of semiconductor technology used in everyday microchips.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 24, 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
Then they headed down the stairs and to the left of the chamber where that poor old Grisha amplifier had tested him.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
About 80 guitars are included in the auction, alongside amplifiers, gold and silver records, posters, memorabilia and a collection of harmonicas.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
So I made ‘Planet Rock’ over and I was listening to it on these big amplifiers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Plus, China is the single supplier for various equipment for quantum computing, including laser diodes, mirrors, and amplifiers.
From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025
Wide-bandwidth laser amplifiers typically need crystals that are very short and thin.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2025
The band didn’t arrive until much after eight because they had trouble with their amplifiers in the snow.
From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
