What does megaphone mean?
A megaphone is a portable device that amplifies and projects a person’s voice, allowing a speaker to address a crowd or be heard over a large area. Its familiar, cone-shaped form has made the word a common metaphor for forcefully broadcasting a message, opinion, or demand. For example, a campaign may use social media as a political megaphone to amplify its message. In ordinary use, the word often carries the implication of loudness and broad public reach, but it can also suggest that a message is being overstated or promoted aggressively. The term is primarily associated with public events, demonstrations, tours, sports gatherings, and emergency announcements, though it is also used figuratively in journalism and political discussion.
A cone-shaped device that amplifies and projects the human voice, especially to a large audience.
"The crowd could hear the announcement through the megaphone."
Common in descriptions of demonstrations, public events, tours, and emergency situations.
A means of making a message or opinion widely heard or strongly promoted.
"The newspaper became a megaphone for the movement’s demands."
Figurative and often implies forceful or potentially excessive amplification.
To speak or make announcements through a megaphone.
"A volunteer megaphoned directions to the arriving visitors."
Less common than the noun; the use is mainly associated with public announcements and demonstrations.
The standard plural is megaphones. In the figurative sense, the plural is also used for instruments or channels that amplify a message.
"The demonstrators carried megaphones and used them to address the crowd."
The word combines the Greek roots for “great” and “sound,” literally describing a device that makes a voice sound much larger and farther-reaching.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of megaphone
The word was formed in the 19th century from the combining form mega-, meaning “great” or “large,” and the Greek-derived element phone, meaning “sound” or “voice.” The form reflects the device’s original purpose of making speech seem greater in volume and carrying it farther. Related terms include megaphonic, while telephone and stethoscope share the same second element with a different sense of “sound.”
Related word forms
How megaphone is actually used
The literal sense is common in everyday speech and often implies that the speaker’s voice is being projected loudly. The figurative sense suggests unusually strong publicity or amplification and is often mildly critical or ironic.
Easily confused with megaphone
A megaphone projects sound outward to an audience, whereas a microphone captures sound and transmits or records it.
A megaphone is a portable sound-amplifying device, while a telephone is a system for transmitting speech over a distance.