record player

American  

noun

1. phonograph.

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record player British  

noun

1. a device for reproducing the sounds stored on a record, consisting of a turntable, usually electrically driven, that rotates the record at a fixed speed of 33, 45, or (esp formerly) 78 revolutions a minute. A stylus vibrates in accordance with undulations in the groove in the record: these vibrations are converted into electric currents, which, after amplification, are recreated in the form of sound by one or more loudspeakers See also monophonic quadraphonics stereophonic

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Etymology

Origin of record player

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does record-player compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• phonograph vs. record player

Example Sentences

Like Cole’s water bottles, many of the objects on view — formerly a flashlight, a lamp, a wall clock, a record player, a fan, hair dryers — include plastics and other hard-to-recycle materials.

From New York Times

“This offseason, we committed to a franchise record player payroll, and still want to accomplish our goal of bringing a World Series championship back to our fans.”

From Seattle Times

Wax cylinders were traditionally played on a phonograph, where, similar to a modern record player, a stylus followed grooves in the wax and translated the information into sound.

From New York Times

Located inside a staid ministry building, the room contained a vinyl record player, history books stacked on shelves and a treadmill.

From Seattle Times

I actually stood next to James Taylor, who I grew up going to almost every concert on the east coast and learned how to play his songs on the record player.

From Salon