sound bite

noun

1. a brief, striking remark or statement excerpted from an audiotape or videotape for insertion in a broadcast news story.

sound bite

noun

1. a short pithy sentence or phrase extracted from a longer speech for use on radio or television

Word History and Origins

Origin of sound bite¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Idioms and Phrases

A short, striking, quotable statement well suited to a television news program. For example, He's extremely good at sound bites, but a really substantive speech is beyond him . This slangy expression, first recorded in 1980, originated in political campaigns in which candidates tried to get across a particular message or get publicity by having it picked up in newscasts.

Example Sentences

It seems like, since we live in the sound bite era, grabby headlines like “EBOLA” and “ISIS” tend to drown out those numbers.

From The Daily Beast

As wily as his character when asked about it, Sheen proved himself to be a master of the media, feinting with a good sound bite.

From The Daily Beast

Politics being politics, it's very difficult these days to have discussions without that 'I got you' sound bite.

From The Daily Beast

Subtleties of study design and interpretation are pulverized in the name of the sound bite of course, but this is old news.

From The Daily Beast

She also mentioned her upcoming book tour, which is sure to be the controversial sound bite gift that keeps on giving.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• blurb
• clip
• excerpt
• one-liner
• quotation
• slogan
• snippet