Recorder

rɪˈkɔːrdər

nounmedium📊CommonTechnology
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A person or thing that registers or documents information, especially sound or events.

rɪˈkɔːrdər

nounneutralmedium
Technology

A person or device that makes a record.

The historian consulted the town's official recorder for archival documents.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to remember something super important that your friend said. A recorder is like a special tool or a person who helps you keep a perfect copy of the moment, like a sound recording or notes.

👶 For kids: A recorder is like a machine or person that writes down or saves things, like sounds or what people say.

More Examples

2

The accident investigator relied on the black box recorder to determine the cause of the crash.

3

A new digital audio recorder can store hours of information.

How It's Used

Technology

"The journalist used a digital recorder to capture the interview."

Law

"The court recorder documented all proceedings."

2

A small end-blown woodwind instrument with a whistle mouthpiece and finger holes.

rɪˈkɔːrdər

nounneutralBeginner
Music

A wind instrument resembling a flute.

She learned to play the recorder in her elementary school music lessons.

💡 Simply: Have you ever seen a long, skinny flute that kids learn to play? That's a recorder! You blow into it and cover the holes to make different sounds.

👶 For kids: A recorder is a little flute that kids can play. You blow into it to make music!

More Examples

2

The composer incorporated the recorder into the orchestra's arrangement.

3

The concert featured a solo performance on the alto recorder.

How It's Used

Music

"The children learned to play the recorder in music class."

Historical Music

"The recorder was a popular instrument in Renaissance and Baroque music."

Tip:Think of the instrument that 'records' music in a simple form. The 'recorder' is often used by beginners.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From the verb "record" (from Old French *recorder* 'to remember, learn, or relate') + -er (agent suffix). Originally referred to a person who kept records, then to a device that records sound or data.

Historically, 'recorder' was used to describe officials responsible for keeping written records, dating back to medieval times. The musical instrument use appeared later.

Memory tip

Think of the person or thing that 'records' information. The 'recorder' makes it official.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to remember, learn, or relate"

audio recorderdigital recordercourt recordervideo recordervoice recorder

Common misspellings

recordorrecoder

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written