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noun

gramophone

GRA-muh-fohn

Gramophone (noun) means an old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker. Example: “The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records.”

noun
1
An old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker.
"The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records."

How to use gramophone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn early type of record player, now mostly seen as an antique or in historical settings.

UK vs US

"Gramophone" is more common in British English; Americans more often say "phonograph" or "record player."

Easily confused with
Common pairings
wind-up gramophone gramophone record

Word forms

gramophones plural

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Fill the gap

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The antique _____ still played scratchy old records.

Etymology

Coined as a trademark in 1887 by Emile Berliner from Ancient Greek gramma ("letter") and phone ("sound").

Origin: Ancient Greek · First attested 1887

Class of 1887 gramophone joined the language around 1887.
See the full Class of 1887 →
acoustic gramophone

Rhymes for gramophone

See all rhymes for gramophone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gramophone” mean?

The word “gramophone” means an old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker. In plain terms, an early type of record player, now mostly seen as an antique or in historical settings.

How do you pronounce “gramophone”?

“Gramophone” is pronounced GRA-muh-fohn ([ˈɡɹæ.məˌfoʊn] in IPA).

How do you use “gramophone” in a sentence?

Here is “gramophone” used in a sentence: “The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records.”

What part of speech is “gramophone”?

“Gramophone” is a noun.

Where does the word “gramophone” come from?

The word “gramophone” dates back to around 1887 and comes from Ancient Greek. Coined as a trademark in 1887 by Emile Berliner from Ancient Greek gramma ("letter") and phone ("sound").

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial