microphone

[mahy-kruh-fohn] /ˈmaɪ krəˌfoʊn/
noun
1.
an instrument capable of transforming sound waves into changes in electric currents or voltage, used in recording or transmitting sound.
Origin
1875-80; micro-, in sense “enlarging” (extracted from microscope) + -phone
Examples from the web for microphones
  • Laser microphones are often portrayed in movies as a spy gadget.
  • Some such microphones have an adjustable angle of coverage between the two channels.
  • They use this for all their films, eschewing zoom lenses and wireless microphones.
British Dictionary definitions for microphones

microphone

/ˈmaɪkrəˌfəʊn/
noun
1.
a device used in sound-reproduction systems for converting sound into electrical energy, usually by means of a ribbon or diaphragm set into motion by the sound waves. The vibrations are converted into the equivalent audio-frequency electric currents Informal name mike See also carbon microphone Compare loudspeaker
Word Origin and History for microphones

microphone

n.

1680s, "ear trumpet for the hard-of-hearing," coined from Greek mikros "small" (see mica) + phone "sound" (see fame (n.)). Modern meaning dates from 1929, from use in radio broadcasting and movie recording. Earlier, "amplifying telephone transmitter" (1878). Of the two spellings of the short form of the word, mike (1927) is older than mic (1961).