soundbite
UK[ˈsaʊndbaɪt]US[ˈsaʊndbaɪt]
n
A very short, striking, and memorable extract from a speech, interview, or broadcast, used especially in news reporting.
Morpheme Breakdown
sound
bite
sound
bite
Etymology
The term 'soundbite' is a modern compound, originating in American broadcast journalism in the 1970s. It is formed from the noun 'sound', referring to recorded audio, and 'bite', a metaphorical extension meaning a small, easily consumed piece, akin to a morsel of food. The logic of the word perfectly captures its function: it is a brief, impactful snippet of audio or video 'bitten off' from a longer statement, designed for quick consumption and maximum effect in media reports. This reflects the evolving nature of language to create vivid, image-driven terms for new technological and cultural phenomena.
Analysis
Structure: sound + bite
sound: From Old English 'gesund' (healthy, safe) and Old French 'son' (sound, noise), via Latin 'sonus'. In this compound, it refers to an auditory recording.
bite: From Old English 'bītan' (to cut or grip with teeth). In this compound, it functions metaphorically to mean a small, extracted piece.
Examples
The politician's clever soundbite was replayed on every news channel.
Modern campaigns are often built around creating the perfect media soundbite.
The interview lasted an hour, but only a ten-second soundbite made it to the evening news.