ENGLISH
REFERENCE

microphone

n. · v.
US //ˈmaɪkɹəˌfoʊn// UK //mˈaɪkɹəfˌəʊn// mi·cro·phone
  1. 1 sound recording device (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a device you speak into to make your voice louder or to record sound.

    an instrument used to convert sound waves into electrical energy for the purpose of recording or broadcasting.

    Example

    The singer stepped up to the microphone and began the first song.

    Example

    The podcast host adjusted the microphone on its boom arm to ensure the audio levels remained consistent throughout the interview.

    Usage

    Often shortened to 'mic' or 'mike' in casual speech and technical contexts.
  2. 2 to equip with microphones (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to put a microphone on a person or near an instrument.

    to arrange or attach microphones to a sound source or within a specific environment.

    Example

    The sound crew had to microphone the entire choir before the concert started.

    Example

    The engineers decided to microphone the drum kit using a multi-track setup to capture the nuances of the room's natural acoustics.

    Usage

    Commonly used as the phrasal verb 'mic up' in professional media production.
    • mic up
Origin

From micro- + -phone.

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