Definition

Noun: A record player is a device that reproduces sound from vinyl records. It operates by rotating a disc-shaped record at a constant speed. A small needle, called a stylus, rests in the spiral groove of the record. As the record spins, the physical modulations in the groove cause the stylus to vibrate. These mechanical vibrations are then converted into an electrical signal (in an electric player) or directly amplified acoustically (in a purely mechanical player) to produce audible sound through speakers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She found her parents' old record player in the attic and a collection of classic rock albums.
  • The warm, rich sound from a high-quality record player is prized by many audiophiles.
  • Before streaming, the record player was a common fixture in living rooms for playing music.

Advanced Usage

• "to put something on the record player": To place a vinyl record on the turntable to play it.
  • He decided to put his favorite jazz album on the record player to set the mood.

Variants and Related Words

• Turntable (n): Often used synonymously with "record player," though technically it refers specifically to the rotating platter on which the record sits.
• Phonograph (n): An older, more formal term for a record player, often associated with early, acoustic models.
• Gramophone (n): A term, common in British English, for a record player, especially older models with a large horn for sound amplification.

Synonyms

• Turntable
• Phonograph

Related Phrases

• Drop the needle: An informal phrase meaning to start playing a record by carefully placing the stylus onto it.
  • He carefully dropped the needle on the first track.

Noun

1. machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically