stereo

¹

[ ster-ee-oh, steer- ]

noun

, plural ster·e·os.

1. stereoscopic photography.
2. a stereoscopic photograph.
3. stereophonic sound reproduction.
4. a system or the equipment for reproducing stereophonic sound.
5. Printing. stereotype ( def 3 ).

adjective

1. pertaining to stereophonic sound, stereoscopic photography, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. Printing. stereotype ( def 6 ).

stereo-

²

1. a combining form borrowed from Greek, where it meant “solid”, used with reference to hardness, solidity, three-dimensionality in the formation of compound words:

   stereochemistry; stereogram; stereoscope.

stereo.

³

abbreviation for

1. stereotype.

stereo

¹

/ ˈstɪər-; ˈstɛrɪəʊ /

adjective

1. short for stereophonic stereoscopic

noun

1. stereophonic sound

   to broadcast in stereo

2. a stereophonic record player, tape recorder, etc
3. photog
   1. stereoscopic photography
   2. a stereoscopic photograph
4. printing short for stereotype

stereo-

²

combining_form

1. indicating three-dimensional quality or solidity

   stereoscope

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereo¹

First recorded in 1815–25; by shortening

Origin of stereo²

From the Greek word stereós

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereo¹

C20: shortened form

Origin of stereo²

from Greek stereos solid

Example Sentences

I interviewed Pharrell, and I cut together a scene of him listening to Stevie Wonder as a boy, on his parents' stereo – and his synaesthesia kicks in.

From BBC

Savage explained she had intended to keep herself entertained with a stereo, but it broke early into the trip and left her alone with her thoughts for months on end.

From BBC

It’s like hearing a car coming down the street with a window-rattling stereo — you hear the music before the car comes into view, Rudolph said.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the din of traffic, hissing buses and loud stereos, the playground sat empty, and men lay on the grassy strips, napping under the sun.

From Los Angeles Times

Her songs spilled out of stores and car stereos.

From New York Times

Related Words

• audio system
• radio
• sound system