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Synonyms

disc jockey

American  
Or disk jockey

noun

  1. a person who conducts a radio broadcast consisting of recorded music, informal talk, commercial announcements, etc.

  2. a person who selects, plays, and announces records at a discotheque.


disc jockey British  

noun

  1.  DJ.   dj.  a person who announces and plays recorded music, esp pop music, on a radio programme, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of disc jockey

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

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.

In 1959, the disc jockey from Memphis took a job at a station in Los Angeles, convinced he had made the mistake of his life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

Wright was a radio innovator, who has been credited with helping "to redefine the role of a disc jockey" after introducing his lively, Zoo-format shows to Radio 1 in the 1980s.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2024

Mister Cee, a disc jockey who was an integral figure in New York City’s booming 1990s hip-hop scene and was an early champion of the Notorious B.I.G., has died.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Following Williams' divorce, her show disc jockey, DJ Boof, says he became Williams' newfound “protector.”

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2024

Brenda and the Tabulations, Vonetta, Fern, and I sang “Dry Your Eyes” whenever the disc jockey played it on WWRL.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia