Definition

A part of a record player that holds the needle and moves it along the grooves of a record to play music.

Example

He carefully placed the tonearm on the record to start the music.

Conversation

Did you check out my new record player?

Yeah, I saw it! The tonearm looks really sleek.

Thanks! I love how it smoothly follows the grooves.

It definitely enhances the sound quality when listening to my vinyl.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tonearm → The word is formed from "tone" (from Old English *tōn*, meaning sound or musical pitch) and "arm" (from Old English *earm*, meaning a limb or appendage). A tonearm is the appendage that holds the stylus and moves across the record to produce sound.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tone' as the sound or musical pitch and 'arm' as the limb that holds something. A tonearm is like a limb that helps create sound.

Visually Confused Words