Being the short form of "vinyl record", "vinyl" is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts near the outside edge and ends near the center of the disc. The stored sound information is made audible by playing the record on a phonograph.
Vinyl was the primary medium used for music reproduction throughout the 20th century. It had co-existed with the phonograph cylinder from the late 1880's and had effectively superseded it by around 1912. Records retained the largest market share even when new formats such as the compact cassette were mass-marketed. By the late 1980's, digital media, in the form of the compact disc (CD), had gained a larger market share, and the record left the mainstream in 1991. Since the 1990's, records continue to be manufactured and sold on a smaller scale, and during the 1990's and early 2000s were commonly used by disc jockeys (DJs), especially in dance music genres. They were also listened to by a growing number of audiophiles. The phonograph record has made a niche resurgence in the early 21st century, growing increasingly popular throughout the 2010s and 2020s.
Vinyl was the primary medium used for music reproduction throughout the 20th century. It had co-existed with the phonograph cylinder from the late 1880's and had effectively superseded it by around 1912. Records retained the largest market share even when new formats such as the compact cassette were mass-marketed. By the late 1980's, digital media, in the form of the compact disc (CD), had gained a larger market share, and the record left the mainstream in 1991. Since the 1990's, records continue to be manufactured and sold on a smaller scale, and during the 1990's and early 2000s were commonly used by disc jockeys (DJs), especially in dance music genres. They were also listened to by a growing number of audiophiles. The phonograph record has made a niche resurgence in the early 21st century, growing increasingly popular throughout the 2010s and 2020s.
I just scored a limited edition vinyl of my favorite album at the record store—nothing beats the warmth of that analog sound!
by Emotional Cruiser October 7, 2025
Get the vinylmug. A word that doesn't exist, often mistakenly used to refer to vinyl records. The plural form of "vinyl" is just "vinyl".
by Dank Memer lololol July 9, 2021
Get the Vinylsmug. 21st century term used by hipsters and Prime Ministers meaning record-player or turntable. For reasons known only to themselves, vinyls is the word used by hipsters when what they mean to say is records.
I've set up a vinyl player at the Lodge and that is a good thing. I have one there and it's added ambience at the Lodge. And the good news is that you're at a little bit of a distance from the neighbours. So when appropriate, you can turn it up loud. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on ABC Radio, August 2022
by lunarchick August 5, 2022
Get the vinyl playermug. The era of rock music that lasted from 1963 to 1974. It was a really good era with many solid bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton. Music of this era was very guitar driven and psychedelic.
Hey I just got done listening to some vinyl era rock and roll.
Oh yeah, like what?
Oh just some Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
Wow that was some great music
IKR
Oh yeah, like what?
Oh just some Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
Wow that was some great music
IKR
by Adam buckley February 15, 2019
Get the Vinyl Eramug. Spinning a record for such an extended period of time that the friction from the needle melts the records face off. face. off.
I just got a righteous deal on Steppenwolf and the Woodstock 3-disc set from a flea market. Time to melt the shit out of some vinyl!!
Melting Vinyl
Melting Vinyl
by bobby mcgeeeee December 2, 2010
Get the Melting Vinylmug. Vinyl Dinosaur. Usually music collectors or DJ's that frown upon other people that did follow format evolution into the modern era. Highly protective of their falsely perceived credibility of owning that one illustrious copy of a record most folk are really not arsed about because nobody ever heard anyway because some obscure vinyl only label from the North East of England only pressed ten lacquers to "keep things underground". Vinyl dinosaurs are not willing to share music, titles, artists or any info out of fear of losing their credibility. The biggest threat to a VD and something which can cause immediate outrage is a repress. Don't be anywhere near a vinyl dinosaur as there will potentially be blood due to exploding heads and hurt egos.
Look at that vinyl dinosaur doing his back in with his two crates of records.
The vinyl dinosaur was hugely offended when asked if he owned CDJ's.
The vinyl dinosaur was hugely offended when asked if he owned CDJ's.
by TheIncredibleMong April 30, 2019
Get the Vinyl Dinosaurmug. When a guy tries to stick it in a girls ass, but she springs out of the bed and turns and gives him the stink eye. Scratching the vinyl is the sound that goes through the guys head, as when a record stops abruptly.
Everything was going great with Yolanda until i had to go scratch the vinyl. Now, I have no chance at hitting that again.
by timingway August 11, 2014
Get the scratch the vinylmug.