Word
airplay
Phoneticsair·play
UK/ˈeəpleɪ/
Broadcasting
Definition
n. the amount of time a radio or television station plays a specific song or show. You use this word when talking about how much a track is heard by the public.
n. the amount of time a specific song or programme is broadcast on a radio or television station. Often used to describe the commercial success of a track based on its frequency of broadcast.
Examples
“The new single received a lot of airplay on local radio.”
“The band's latest album gained significant airplay after a popular DJ played it during a live concert.”
“Despite limited marketing, the track achieved massive airplay across several regional stations, eventually charting in the top ten without any official promotion.”
Examples
simple
“The new single received a lot of airplay on local radio.”
contextual
“The band's latest album gained significant airplay after a popular DJ played it during a live concert.”
complex
“Despite limited marketing, the track achieved massive airplay across several regional stations, eventually charting in the top ten without any official promotion.”
Etymology
From air + play.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/airplay