playback

1 of 2

noun

play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak How to pronounce playback (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Controls cover the basic playback functions, including repeat-one, sequential-play, and shuffle modes – though ultimately, the spinning disc remains the star of the show. — New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026 Everything before Odyssey — Project Hail Mary, One Battle After Another — all those films used our old audio-playback system, which was a 30-year-old design. — Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
The performers gather around a monitor playing back their most recent take. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026 That said, downloaded content on Android and iOS plays back at just 60Kbps. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for playback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playback was in 1929

Rhymes for playback

See All Rhymes for playback

Browse Nearby Words

play a trick on (someone)
playback
play back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playback. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

playback

1 of 2 noun
play·​back ˈplā-ˌbak How to pronounce playback (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on playback

Nglish: Translation of playback for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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