megaphone

American  

[meg-uh-fohn] / ˈmɛg əˌfoʊn /

noun

1. a cone-shaped device for magnifying or directing the voice, chiefly used in addressing a large audience out of doors or in calling to someone at a distance.

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verb (used with or without object)

megaphoned, megaphoning

1. to transmit or speak through or as if through a megaphone.

megaphone British  

/ ˌmɛɡəˈfɒnɪk, ˈmɛɡəˌfəʊn /

noun

1. a funnel-shaped instrument used to amplify the voice See also loud-hailer

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Other Word Forms

• megaphonic adjective
• megaphonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of megaphone

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; mega- + -phone

Compare meaning

How does megaphone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bullhorn vs. megaphone

Example Sentences

Roland, the regatta emcee, is at the water’s edge, a megaphone pressed to his lips.

From Literature

He’s wealthy, he had a media megaphone, he’s principled, and he’s fearless.

From The Wall Street Journal

A man in boots and jodhpurs standing beside the cameraman raised a megaphone and shouted, “Ready! Action!”

From Literature

"Any form of sleep or rest throughout the night was impossible due to festival noise / loud techno singing / megaphone announcements," explained a post on the Morrissey Central website.

From BBC

The person with the megaphone counts down to the start.

From Literature

Related Words

• bullhorn
• public address system