Megaphone

Megaphone

Noun / Verb · /ˈmɛɡ.ə.fəʊn/

Definition

(Noun) a cone-shaped device used to amplify and direct the voice; a loudspeaker in a conical shape held to the mouth; a device for projecting sound; (Verb, informal) to announce or broadcast widely and loudly.

Origin

From mega- (Greek megas, great) + phone (Greek phōnē, voice, sound). Coined in the late 19th century. The megaphone as a device was popularised by Thomas Edison, who patented a design in 1878, though the acoustic principles had been used in speaking trumpets and ear trumpets earlier. The word combines the Greek roots for great and voice.