noun
MP3
em-pee-THREE
MP3 (noun) means an audio format that shrinks a music or speech recording by removing sound the ear is least likely to notice, making files small enough to store and share easily. Example: “He ripped the whole album to MP3 before the drive to Cornwall.”
noun
1
An audio format that shrinks a music or speech recording by removing sound the ear is least likely to notice, making files small enough to store and share easily.
"He ripped the whole album to MP3 before the drive to Cornwall."
"The podcast is published as an MP3 every Thursday."
2
A single audio recording saved in that format.
"There are three thousand MP3s on that old hard drive."
3
dated A portable player for such files.
"She still had her first MP3 player in a drawer."
How to use MP3
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small audio file, the usual way music and podcasts are stored.
When to use it
Everyday word. Written in capitals with a numeral; "mp3" appears in filenames.
Memory tip
MP3 is audio only; MP4 is a different thing altogether and usually holds video.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
MP3 player
convert to MP3
download the MP3
320 kbps MP3
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He ripped the whole album to _____ before the drive to Cornwall.
Etymology
Short for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, from MPEG, an acronym of Moving Picture Experts Group.
Synonyms
View more →
audio file
music file
audio format
Related words
Rhymes for MP3
See all rhymes for MP3 →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MP3 and WAV?
A WAV file normally stores audio uncompressed, so it holds the full recording and takes up a lot of space. An MP3 is compressed by discarding parts of the sound, so it is far smaller but has lost some information permanently. WAV is common in recording and editing; MP3 is common for distribution and listening.
What does bitrate mean in an MP3?
Bitrate is how much data is used per second of audio, usually written in kilobits per second, such as 128 kbps or 320 kbps. A higher bitrate keeps more of the original sound and makes a bigger file; a lower one saves space and discards more.
Is MP3 still used?
Yes, widely, though newer formats such as AAC and Opus achieve similar quality in smaller files and are now the default for many streaming services and devices. MP3 remains common because almost every player made in the last twenty-five years can read it.
What is the meaning of MP3?
"MP3" (noun) means an audio format that shrinks a music or speech recording by removing sound the ear is least likely to notice, making files small enough to store and share easily.
