What does prerecord mean?
Prerecord means to record something before it is needed or intended for use. The term is especially common in broadcasting and public communication, where a programme, interview, announcement, or emergency message may be recorded earlier and then played later. A prerecorded item does not necessarily mean that the subject was absent or that the recording was made without preparation; it simply means that the recording occurred before the intended presentation. The word can also refer to prepared performances or content that need to be reproduced accurately at a later time. It is useful when discussing the practical distinction between material prepared in advance and material recorded live, and it often appears alongside related terms such as prerecorded, recording, and pre-record. Its sense is broadly the same in British and American English.
verbTo record something before it is needed or intended for use, such as a television programme, speech, or announcement. The recorded material is then played back later rather than being captured at the time of presentation.
- To record material in advance of its broadcast, release, performance, or use.
"The emergency message was prerecorded so it could be broadcast immediately if the evacuation was ordered."
"The broadcaster prerecorded several interviews in case a guest was unable to appear live."
"The company prerecorded an announcement to inform customers about the change."
A prerecorded message can be ready to broadcast instantly, even when there is no time to record it live.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prerecord come from?
The word is formed from the prefix pre-, meaning “before,” and record, meaning “to capture or set down in writing or other media.” The underlying verb record comes through Old French from Latin recordari, related to record, meaning “to call to mind” or “to put into the heart of one’s memory.” The modern sense of capturing sound or images developed later, while the prefixated form emphasizes that the recording takes place in advance of its use.
Related word forms
How prerecord is actually used
The word is most often used for broadcasts, public announcements, performances, and messages. It is less common than the adjective prerecorded, which is frequently used in expressions such as a prerecorded interview or a prerecorded statement.
Easily confused with prerecord
Pre-record and prerecord have the same meaning; prerecord is the unhyphenated form, while pre-record is commonly hyphenated when used as a verb.