recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯr-dər 

1

a

: the chief judicial magistrate of some British cities and boroughs

b

: a municipal judge with criminal jurisdiction of first instance and sometimes limited civil jurisdiction

2

: one that records

3

: any of a group of wind instruments ranging from soprano to bass that are characterized by a conical tube, a whistle mouthpiece, and eight finger holes

Illustration of recorder

• recorder 3

Examples of recorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a widget filled with OnePlus apps that are mostly useful, including settings, weather, a calculator, and an audio recorder. —PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025

In a 2018 phone call between McClain and Madigan, the men discussed whether ComEd should keep paying Moody via his latest subcontract, given that Moody was taking office as the Cook County recorder of deeds. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025

Then, open the voice recorder app and record your response. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Based on voice recorder audio and other evidence, the report released on Wednesday by the Japan Transport Safety Board revealed a series of overlapping human lapses. —River Akira Davis, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recorder

• cockpit voice recorder
• flight data recorder
• flight recorder
• strip-chart recorder
• tape recorder
• videocassette recorder
• videotape recorder
• wire recorder

Kids Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯrd-ər 

1

: a person or device that records

2

: a musical instrument consisting of a usually wooden tube with finger holes and a whistle mouthpiece

Legal Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er

1

: a judge of a municipal court

2

: a public officer charged with making a record of writings or transactions (as conveyances)

a recorder of deeds