tuner

American  

[too-ner, tyoo-] / ˈtu nər, ˈtyu- /

noun

1. a person or thing that tunes.

2. the portion of a radio or television receiver that captures the broadcast signal and feeds it to other circuits in the set for further processing.

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tuner British  

/ ˈtjuːnə /

noun

1. a person who tunes instruments, esp pianos

2. the part of a radio or television receiver for selecting only those signals having a particular frequency

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Etymology

Origin of tuner

1570–80; 1905–10 tuner for def. 2; tune + -er ¹

Explanation

A tuner is an electronic device that receives signals and allows you to listen to the radio or watch television. Another kind of tuner is used to adjust the pitch of a musical instrument. One kind of tuner can receive digital signals so you can watch television, and another kind is built into your car radio. A person can be a tuner too, such as an expert who makes adjustments to a piano's strings until the pitch is correct. There are also small electronic tuners that attach to an instrument like a guitar. Before it meant "instrument adjuster," a tuner was a "musician or singer."

Example Sentences

A chance encounter with a piano tuner -- the husband of his wife's friend -- set him wondering what this previously unconsidered profession was all about.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

The professional piano tuner has been locked in dispute with the supplier for five years, accusing the company of billing his Wolverhampton home based on "guesstimates" rather than actual metre readings.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

At 17 branches, you can borrow a ukulele, each with its own case, book of chords and a tuner.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2022

Each instrument comes with a case, a book of chords and a tuner.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2022

An online metronome, guitar tuner, blank sheet music, music theory lessons, and music converters are all available at 8notes.com.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• dial
• knob
• switch