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

The playlist running through his speakers was a perfect mix of American pop and the beats of Punjabi music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Bad Bunny’s 13-song playlist celebrated all who live in the Americas — North, Central and South.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Her playlist includes hits from Justin Bieber and Calvin Harris, alongside other upbeat tracks that remind her of what it felt like to be 18 and fearless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

I removed the stopwatch, notebook, pen, and iPod with the recreated playlist.

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