English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

tannoy

TA-noy

Tannoy (noun) means a public address system used to make announcements over loudspeakers. Example: “A voice crackled over the tannoy announcing the train had been delayed.”

noun
1
A public address system used to make announcements over loudspeakers.
"A voice crackled over the tannoy announcing the train had been delayed."

How to use tannoy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA loudspeaker announcement system, commonly used in stations, airports, and schools.

UK vs US

Chiefly British usage; Americans would typically say "PA system" or "intercom".

Word forms

tannoyed past tense, tannoys plural, tannoys singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “tannoy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A voice crackled over the _____ announcing the train had been delayed.

Etymology

Originally a trademark belonging to Tannoy Ltd, a British maker of public address equipment; the brand name itself blended "tantalum" and "alloy", referring to a component used in their early amplifiers.

Rhymes for tannoy

See all rhymes for tannoy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tannoy” mean?

The word “tannoy” means a public address system used to make announcements over loudspeakers. In plain terms, a loudspeaker announcement system, commonly used in stations, airports, and schools.

How do you pronounce “tannoy”?

“Tannoy” is pronounced TA-noy (/ˈtænɔɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “tannoy” in a sentence?

Here is “tannoy” used in a sentence: “A voice crackled over the tannoy announcing the train had been delayed.”

What part of speech is “tannoy”?

“Tannoy” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial