What does rerecord mean?
Rerecord means to record something again. The most common use refers to making a new audio version of a song, speech, podcast, performance, or other recording, often because the original was flawed or the material needs updating. In historical, administrative, and archival contexts, rerecord can also mean to enter a fact or entry again in a register or database. The prefix re- indicates repetition, while record refers to capturing information or sound. Although rerecord may suggest merely repeating the same material, in modern production it often implies a corrected, revised, or improved version. The word is especially associated with music, radio, film, and broadcasting, but it is also used whenever information must be captured afresh.
To record something again, especially audio, music, speech, or performance; to make a new or revised recording.
"They rerecorded the narration to improve its clarity."
Common in broadcasting, music production, and audio recording; often transitive.
To enter or restore something to a register, list, archive, or other record.
"The clerk rerecorded the property in the historical ledger."
Less common than the audio sense and often used in administrative or archival contexts.
A rerecord is a fresh take on something familiar: the words or music may remain, but the performance is captured anew.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rerecord come from?
Rerecord is a modern English compound formed by combining the prefix re-, meaning again, with the verb record. The verb record comes from Latin recordari, from Latin record, meaning to call to mind or remember, and ultimately from Latin re-, again, and cor, heart. In Middle English, record developed the sense of writing information down, and by the late 19th century it also referred to capturing sound on a recording medium. The modern compound rerecord follows the ordinary English pattern of re- plus a verb and is used especially for making a new version of an existing recording.
Related word forms
How rerecord is actually used
The word is common in media, music, broadcasting, and archival contexts. It is usually transitive and takes an object such as a song, voice, performance, episode, or entry.
Easily confused with rerecord
Record means to capture sound, video, or information, whereas rerecord means to make a new recording of something that has already been recorded.