recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯr-dər 

1

a

: the chief judicial magistrate of some British cities and boroughs

b

: a municipal judge with criminal jurisdiction of first instance and sometimes limited civil jurisdiction

2

: one that records

3

: any of a group of wind instruments ranging from soprano to bass that are characterized by a conical tube, a whistle mouthpiece, and eight finger holes

Illustration of recorder

• recorder 3

Examples of recorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The helicopter’s black box voice recorder has also been recovered with no signs of exterior damage, according to Inman. —Kaanita Iyer, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025

Batteries are needed to run the sensors, recorders, and telemetry systems but the go-to lithium batteries are classified as containing hazardous materials that are subject to strict safety and environmental regulations. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Feb. 2025

Authorities were still looking for the helicopter’s black box recorder, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday on Fox News Channel. —Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

However, board member J. Todd Inman expressed confidence that the data recorders will be recovered. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recorder

• cockpit voice recorder
• flight data recorder
• flight recorder
• strip-chart recorder
• tape recorder
• videocassette recorder
• videotape recorder
• wire recorder

Kids Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er ri-ˈkȯrd-ər 

1

: a person or device that records

2

: a musical instrument consisting of a usually wooden tube with finger holes and a whistle mouthpiece

Legal Definition

recorder

noun

re·​cord·​er

1

: a judge of a municipal court

2

: a public officer charged with making a record of writings or transactions (as conveyances)

a recorder of deeds