recording: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral
Quick answer
What does “recording” mean?
The process of capturing and storing sound, video, or data for later playback or reference.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of capturing and storing sound, video, or data for later playback or reference.
1) The content or product of this process (e.g., a sound file or video). 2) An act or instance of making such a capture. 3) (In a technical context) The process of storing data in a retrievable form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. 'Tape' is more common in UK English for older media (tape recording), while both varieties use 'audio/video recording' equally.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Can have neutral ('a studio recording') or slightly negative ('the meeting was secret recording') connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “recording” in a Sentence
make/do a recording of somethingplay back a recordingthe recording of the concertrecording for an albumVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “recording” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The band is recording their new album at Abbey Road.
- I didn't realise my phone was recording the entire time.
American English
- The police recorded the incident on bodycam.
- We need to record the webinar for those who can't attend live.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable for this word.
American English
- Not applicable for this word.
adjective
British English
- She works in a recording studio.
- The recording equipment was state-of-the-art.
American English
- He landed a job as a recording artist.
- Please ensure all recording devices are switched off.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to meeting minutes, phone call logs, or compliance documentation.
Academic
Used in research for data collection, e.g., 'the recording of experimental observations'.
Everyday
Commonly refers to music, videos, or voice memos on a phone.
Technical
In computing, refers to the process of writing data to a storage medium.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “recording”
- Using 'record' (noun) when 'recording' (process/action nominalisation) is needed: *'The record of the meeting' vs. 'The recording of the meeting'.
- Confusing 'recording' with 'taping' or 'filming' in narrow contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a process, it's often uncountable ('Recording began at noon'). As a specific instance or product, it's countable ('I have three recordings of that song').
'A record' often refers to a physical object (like a vinyl disc) or an official documented achievement. 'A recording' emphasizes the content or the act of capturing sound/video, regardless of the medium.
Typically no. 'Recording' implies audio/visual/data capture. For written minutes, use 'minutes', 'notes', or 'transcript'. In a broad technical sense, 'data recording' is possible.
The gerund is also 'recording' (e.g., 'Recording the concert was his idea'). This is identical to the noun form, so context is key.
The process of capturing and storing sound, video, or data for later playback or reference.
Recording is usually neutral in register.
Recording: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈkɔːdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/ or /rɪˈkɔːrdɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “for the record (related conceptually)”
- “on tape/record”
- “off the record (antonymic phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RECORD (like a vinyl disc) + ING. A 'record-ing' is the act of making a record or the record itself.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAPTURING IS PRESERVING (We 'capture' a moment in a recording to 'preserve' it for the future).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'recording' LEAST likely to be used?