noun \ˈe-(ˌ)kō\

: a sound that is a copy of another sound and that is produced when sound waves bounce off a surface (such as a wall)

: something (such as a feature or quality) that repeats or resembles something else

: something that is similar to something that happened or existed before

plural ech·oes also echos

Full Definition of ECHO

a :  the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves
b :  the sound due to such reflection
a :  a repetition or imitation of another :  reflection
b :  repercussion, result
c :  trace, vestige
d :  response
:  one who closely imitates or repeats another's words, ideas, or acts
:  a soft repetition of a musical phrase
a :  the repetition of a received radio signal due especially to reflection of part of the wave from an ionized layer of the atmosphere
b (1) :  the reflection of transmitted radar signals by an object
(2) :  the visual indication of this reflection on a radarscope
echo·ey \ˈe-ˌkō-ē\ adjective

Examples of ECHO

  1. We shouted into the canyon and listened to the echo of our voices.
  2. the echo of footsteps in the hall
  3. His work contains echoes of older and greater poets.
  4. The book's title is an echo of a line from an old folk song.
  5. The crime is a chilling echo of the murders that shocked the city two years ago.

Origin of ECHO

Middle English ecco, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French echo, from Latin, from Greek ēchō; akin to Latin vagire to wail, Greek ēchē sound
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Physics Terms




: to be filled with sounds and especially with echoes

: to fill a space, area, etc., with sounds and especially with echoes

: to repeat (what someone else has said or written)

ech·oedecho·ing \ˈe-(ˌ)kō-iŋ, ˈe-kə-wiŋ\

Full Definition of ECHO

intransitive verb
:  to resound with echoes
:  to produce an echo
transitive verb
a :  repeat, imitate <children echoing their teacher's words>
b :  to restate in support or agreement <his successor echoed his opinion>
c :  to be reminiscent of :  evoke <music that echoes an earlier time>
:  to send back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves

Examples of ECHO

  1. The music echoed through the church.
  2. Laughter echoed across the lake.
  3. Their voices echoed in the hall.
  4. His warnings are echoed by many other experts in the field.
  5. It's in Rome. In Rome? she echoed.
  6. Others have echoed her criticisms.
  7. The book's title echoes a line from an old folk song.
  8. The crime echoes last year's shocking murders.

First Known Use of ECHO


Related to ECHO

Rhymes with ECHO



Definition of ECHO

:  a nymph in Greek mythology who pines away for love of Narcissus until nothing is left of her but her voice

Origin of ECHO

Greek Ēchō
First Known Use: 1595

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix


Definition of ECHO

—a communications code word for the letter e

First Known Use of ECHO


Other Alphabet Terms



Next Word in the Dictionary: echo box
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Echiurus
All Words Near: echo

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up echo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).