monaural

American  

[mon-awr-uhl] / mɒnˈɔr əl /

adjective

1. monophonic.

2. of, relating to, or affecting one ear.

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monaural British  

/ mɒˈnɔːrəl /

adjective

1. relating to, having, or hearing with only one ear

2. another word for monophonic

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Other Word Forms

• monaurally adverb

Etymology

Origin of monaural

First recorded in 1885–90; mon- + aural ¹

Example Sentences

He was fond of comparing his recordings to Wagnerian opera, his arrangements and mixes painstakingly crafted to explode out of transistor radios and monaural 45s with astonishing dramatic impact.

From Slate • Jan. 18, 2021

In 1967, George Martin and the Beatles spent the vast majority of their time focused on the monaural mix, which was still the dominant playback format in England at that time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2017

I would not say it came “pouring” through so much as “dribbling”; monaural, faded by distance, troubled by hiccupy signal dropouts.

From Slate • Sep. 8, 2014

The effect was very "analog." It reminded me of switching channels on a monaural, pushbutton car radio, or watching a theatrical documentary shot on film.

From Salon • May 23, 2011

For openers, three LPs in a handsome package will be offered to Book-of-the-Month Club members this week at $17.95 for monaural and $19.95 for stereo.

From Time Magazine Archive