audio

¹ American  

[aw-dee-oh] / ˈɔ diˌoʊ /

adjective

1. Electronics. designating an electronic apparatus using audio frequencies.

   audio amplifier.

2. of, relating to, or employed in the transmission, reception, or reproduction of sound.

3. of or relating to frequencies or signals in the audible range.

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noun

1. Television.

   1. the audio elements of television (distinguished from video).

   2. the circuits in a receiver for reproducing sound.

   3. the audio part of a television broadcast.

2. the field of sound recording, transmission, reception, and reproduction.

audio- ² American  

1. a combining form used in the formation of compound words, with the meanings: “sound within the range of human hearing” (audiometer ); “hearing” (audiology ); “sound reproduction” (audiophile ).

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audio ¹ British  

/ ˈɔːdɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. of or relating to sound or hearing

   audio frequency

2. relating to or employed in the transmission, reception, or reproduction of sound

3. of, concerned with, or operating at audio frequencies

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audio- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating hearing or sound

   audiometer

   audiovisual

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Etymology

Origin of audio¹

First recorded in 1920–25; independent use of audio-

Origin of audio-²

< Latin audī- (stem of audīre to hear) + -o-

Explanation

Audio means sound. If you turn up the volume and turn down the bass on your TV, you adjust the audio. The noun audio always refers to what you can hear, although there are several different ways to use it. If you covet expensive speakers for your stereo, you wish for new audio equipment, and when someone complains about the sound at a movie theater he might say, "The audio is way too loud." Audio was first used as a prefix, in words like audio-frequency, and came to mean "recorded sound" in the 1930s.

Example Sentences

In total it took home three awards, including animation and audio achievement.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Avid, founded in 1987, is based in Burlington, Mass., and has since established itself as a pioneer in digital audio and video editing software.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

His father said he has photos, videos and audio recordings proving his presence in the Donetsk region, an area of active fighting.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Then, a series of leaked audio transcripts released last week appeared to expose the depth of the ties between Orbán’s government and Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

“You’ll be broadcast, both your voice through their emergency audio system, and your image wherever people have access to a screen.”

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• TV set
• box
• station
• video