Word
dashcam
Phoneticsdash·cam
/ˈdæʃˌkæm/
Definition
n. a small camera that you attach to the front window of your car. It records everything that happens on the road while you are driving.
n. a video camera mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a vehicle, designed to record the view through the front window continuously. Often used to provide evidence in the event of a traffic accident or insurance claim.
Examples
“The dashcam recorded the entire accident.”
“After the collision, the driver handed over the dashcam footage to the police to prove he was not at fault.”
“Insurance companies increasingly encourage the installation of a dashcam, as the recorded data can resolve liability disputes that would otherwise rely on conflicting witness testimonies.”
Examples
simple
“The dashcam recorded the entire accident.”
contextual
“After the collision, the driver handed over the dashcam footage to the police to prove he was not at fault.”
complex
“Insurance companies increasingly encourage the installation of a dashcam, as the recorded data can resolve liability disputes that would otherwise rely on conflicting witness testimonies.”
Usage
A blend of 'dashboard' and 'camera'.
Real-World Examples
“A man has been found guilty of reckless driving after his own dashcam footage revealed that he dozed off behind the wheel for 20 minutes while on a motorway.” “A lorry driver who claimed a coughing fit caused him to drift on to the wrong side of the road and crash into another HGV was caught out, because his dashcam was also recording audio.” “Gloucestershire Police is urging the public to share their dashcam recordings online to enhance safety on the region's roadways.” “Road users are now able to submit footage of dangerous driving to police in England and Wales, using a platform set up by a dashcam manufacturer.” Etymology
From dash(board) + cam(era), a 20th-century blend formed on the model of compounds where the second element is clipped to its first syllable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.