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demo

[ dem-oh ]
/ ˈdɛm oʊ /
Informal.
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noun, plural dem·os.
demonstration (defs. 4, 6).
demonstrator (def. 5).
a recording of a new song or of one performed by an unknown singer or singing group, distributed to disc jockeys, recording companies, etc., to demonstrate the merits of the song or performer.
demolition (def. 1): He does flooring and demo for a living.
verb (used with object), dem·oed, dem·o·ing.
to try out or exhibit the use of (a product, process, or the like): You can demo the game without downloading or buying it.
to record (a song) to demonstrate the merits of the song or performer.
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Origin of demo

1935–40; by shortening; see -o

Other definitions for demo (2 of 3)

Demo
[ dem-oh ]
/ ˈdɛm oʊ /
noun, plural Dem·os.Informal.
a member of the Democratic Party; Democrat.

Origin of Demo

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95

Other definitions for demo (3 of 3)

demo-
a combining form occurring in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “people” (democratic); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (demography).

Origin of demo-

<Greek dēmo-, combining form of dêmos
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to demo

tryout, album, disk, audience, hearing, reading, trial, try on, cut, cylinder, digital recording, laser disk, record, release, track

How to use demo in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demo (1 of 2)

demo
/ (ˈdɛməʊ) /
noun plural -os informal
short for demonstration (def. 4)
  1. a demonstration record or tape, used for audition purposes
  2. a demonstration of a prototype system
US short for demonstrator (def. 3)

British Dictionary definitions for demo (2 of 2)

demo-

before a vowel dem-

combining form
indicating people or populationdemography

Word Origin for demo-

from Greek dēmos
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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