microphone

American  

[mahy-kruh-fohn] / ˈmaɪ krəˌfoʊn /

noun

• microphones
  plural

1. an instrument capable of transforming sound waves into changes in electric currents or voltage, used in recording or transmitting sound.

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microphone British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəˌfəʊn /

noun

1. Informal name: mike. a device used in sound-reproduction systems for converting sound into electrical energy, usually by means of a ribbon or diaphragm set into motion by the sound waves. The vibrations are converted into the equivalent audio-frequency electric currents See also carbon microphone Compare loudspeaker

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• microphones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of microphone

1875–80; micro-, in sense “enlarging” (extracted from microscope ) + -phone

Explanation

A microphone is an electric device that amplifies the sound of a voice or instrument. If you're going to stand up in front of a large crowd and want to be heard, you better use a microphone. Microphones require electricity and amplifiers to work — what they do is take a sound and convert it into an electrical signal. That signal can then be amplified and sent to a speaker or recorded. Performers can sing softly into a microphone and still be heard clearly by an audience member at the very back of a huge concert hall. The popularity of radio and film inspired this meaning of microphone — originally, the word meant "ear trumpet for the hard-of-hearing."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microphone microphones

The Republic of Ireland manager was also asked by another journalist about alleged racism by Irish players during last Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary and refused to give up the microphone.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

But when a clown’s only trick is shouting into a live microphone, the absolute worst thing that can happen is for the cameras to simply turn off.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

“Actually, Nevermind” is a reflection of Tomlinson when she puts down the microphone, and she is nervous for readers to see that side of her.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Arvin Chen, a founder at Honghub who is developing a microphone device that allows users to directly speak with AI agents, said that AI has entirely transformed startups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

“The lady speaks!” her curly-haired friend practically cheered, pushing the both of them toward the microphone.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

We watch coders: And, yes, they’re coding with microphones, they’re coding with headsets, they’re speaking to their code.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

She bought her first fridge with her earnings, as well as a karaoke machine, complete with flashing lights and two microphones, that occupies pride of place in her living room.

From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026

But from what I could tell on Thursday, the member's microphones were live all night, with a backing track doubling their vocals at crucial moments.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

A maracas solo by Ernesto Laya, however, seemed to be too soft to be picked up by the microphones, yet he held a cheering crowd rapt simply by his rhythmic movements.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

All the security men were equipped with radio microphones, and in the front row, Mrs. Jones had control.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz