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

His answers, even the ones that hint of rehearsed, PR-approved sound bites, lack the disquietingly poised delivery that many young stars learn to perfect.

From Washington Post

Unfortunately, this was again overshadowed by efforts that misconstrued the issues involved in the service of scoring political points and cable news sound bites.

From Washington Post

Members of Congress often drop clippable sound bites into their speeches in hopes they’ll make it onto cable news, so it’s possible this was simply an effort to gin up a bit of media attention from Carlson or other right-wing media personalities.

From Washington Post

Judging by the actions of his more tight-lipped peers, he provided a shameful sound bite that elucidates the cavalier disregard for players that many coaches and so-called college leaders exhibit.

From Washington Post

We live in the heat of a moment full of vivid sound bites, photos and videos.

From Washington Post

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