stereophonic

[ster-ee-uh-fon-ik, steer-]

adjective

1. pertaining to a system of sound recording or reproduction using two or more separate channels to produce a more realistic effect by capturing the spatial dimensions of a performance (the location of performers as well as their acoustic surroundings), used especially with high-fidelity recordings and reproduction systems (monophonic ).

stereophonic

/ ˌstɛrɪəˈfɒnɪk, ˌstɪər-, ˌstɪər-, ˌstɛrɪˈɒfənɪ /

adjective

1. Often shortened to: stereo. (of a system for recording, reproducing, or broadcasting sound) using two or more separate microphones to feed two or more loudspeakers through separate channels in order to give a spatial effect to the sound Compare monophonic quadraphonics

Other Word Forms

• stereophonically adverb
• stereophony noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereophonic¹

First recorded in 1935–40; stereo- + phon(o)- + -ic

Example Sentences

His father was an inventor who made major advances in television and stereophonic sound.

From Washington Post

While superfans will have long held such morsels in their collections, much like the Esher tapes' reincarnation in Martin and Okell's White Album mixes, there's nothing like enjoying them in top-notch stereophonic sound.

From Salon

Volume Two of the Mueller report, like the second volume of Bob Dylan’s greatest hits, is the more stereophonic and satisfying.

From New York Times

It became a sort of stereophonic struggle for control of the three letters.

From The New Yorker

Matching every contour of breath and sound in a stereophonic séance linking African American generations, they channel history through the recording.

From Los Angeles Times