noun
Uncommon
recorder
ree-KAW-duh
Recorder (noun) means a simple woodwind instrument played by blowing into a mouthpiece, common in school music classes. Example: “Every child in the class learned to play the recorder.”
noun
1
A simple woodwind instrument played by blowing into a mouthpiece, common in school music classes.
"Every child in the class learned to play the recorder."
"I practised a simple tune on my recorder after school."
"The recorder sounds thin and sweet when you blow gently."
2
A device or person that records information, sound, or video.
"The plane's flight recorder survived the crash intact."
"A smartphone is not the best camera, notebook, word processor, audio recorder, radio, MP3 player, map reader, pedometer and so on, but it is good enough replace numerous separate devices for most people most of the time."
— Jack Schofield, What’s the best cheap tablet or e-reader for PDF files? (2019)
"The meeting's recorder kept running so nothing would be missed."
"Please switch on the voice recorder before the interview starts."
How to use recorder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the simple flute-like instrument, or any device/person that keeps a record of something.
Common pairings
play the recorder
flight recorder
voice recorder
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Word forms
- Plural
- recorders
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Every child in the class learned to play the _____.
Etymology
From Middle English recorder, related to record in its old sense of "to practise a tune."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for recorder
See all rhymes for recorder →Frequently asked questions
What does “recorder” mean?
The word “recorder” means a simple woodwind instrument played by blowing into a mouthpiece, common in school music classes. In plain terms, either the simple flute-like instrument, or any device/person that keeps a record of something.
How do you pronounce “recorder”?
“Recorder” is pronounced ree-KAW-duh (/ɹiˈkɔɹ.dəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “recorder” in a sentence?
Here is “recorder” used in a sentence: “Every child in the class learned to play the recorder.”
What part of speech is “recorder”?
“Recorder” is a noun.
Where does the word “recorder” come from?
The word “recorder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English recorder, related to record in its old sense of "to practise a tune.".
Is “recorder” a common word?
“Recorder” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “recorder” have?
“Recorder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a simple woodwind instrument played by blowing into a mouthpiece, common in school music classes.
What is the difference between a recorder and a flute?
A recorder is a simple woodwind instrument played by blowing directly into a mouthpiece, commonly used to teach music in schools, while a flute is played by blowing across a hole at the side and typically requires more advanced technique. Recorders are usually made in one piece with finger holes, whereas modern flutes have a complex key mechanism.
What is the difference between a recorder and a tape recorder?
Recorder can refer to the woodwind instrument, but it is also used generally for any device that records information, sound, or video, such as a tape recorder or voice recorder. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant, since the musical instrument and the recording device are unrelated uses of the same word.
Can recorder refer to a person rather than an object?
Yes, recorder can describe a person who records information, such as a note-taker at a meeting, in addition to referring to a device or instrument. This sense is less common in everyday speech but still appears in formal or administrative contexts.
