playback

1 of 2

noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak 

: an act or instance of reproducing recorded sound or pictures often immediately after recording

play back

2 of 2

verb

played back; playing back; plays back

transitive verb

: to perform a playback of (a usually recently recorded disc or tape)

Examples of playback in a Sentence

Noun

The band listened to a playback of their first recording.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

By default, the right earbud controls media playback. —PCMAG, 11 Dec. 2024

This covered everything from adjusting playback speeds to starting and stopping the record. —L.a. Hubilla, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

Photograph: Transparent Audiophiles should be plenty happy with the specs, as the speaker is able to play back high-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, with support for AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect, as well as Bluetooth 5.2. —Verity Burns, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

On his first play back after a cramp, senior quarterback Stanley Anderson-Lofton connects with Mykel Calixte on a 28-yard pass for a touchdown — their second of the game. —Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

playback

1 of 2 noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak 

: the action of reproducing recorded sound or pictures often immediately after recording

play back

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)plā-ˈbak

: to perform a playback of (a disc or tape)