playlist

American  

[pley-list] / ˈpleɪˌlɪst /

noun

1. a list of the recordings to be played on the radio during a particular program or time period, often including their sequence, duration, etc.

2. Digital Technology. an electronic file containing a list of audio or video files that can be played back on a media player sequentially or in random order.

   to create a playlist of your favorite songs.

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playlist British  

/ ˈpleɪˌlɪst /

noun

1. a list of records chosen for playing, as on a radio station

2. a list of tracks to be played in a particular order on an MP3 player or CD player

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verb

1. (tr) to put (a song or record) on a playlist

Etymology

Origin of playlist

First recorded in 1960–65; play + list ¹

Example Sentences

There’s also the much more fiercely debated trend of cataloging micro-aesthetics—sorting every conceivable vibe into named categories like “dark academia” or “coastal grandmother,” each with its own dress code and playlist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

I walked out of the theater with at least three new songs for my electro-grime playlist.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Their lively, accordion-rich music feels classic enough to be right at home on the playlist for your next carne asada.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Key to the band’s longevity, of course, is a deep store of hits that now themselves count as staples of any classic rock playlist.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

So what if my playlist had disappeared into the void?

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas