: the playing of a musical recording on the air by a radio station
a song getting a lot of airplay

Examples of airplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Known in music as Maeve, Touhey has built a growing international fanbase, earning airplay on SiriusXM Hits 1, and is preparing to release her debut project. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Notably, the record has changed hands several times in the last few years, reflecting a landscape in which big hits become entrenched in consistent streaming performance and radio airplay cycles that led to extensive, chart-topping runs. — Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026 In a bright spot, country traditionalist Sierra Ferrell attracted more than 8,600, an impressive number given her lack of mainstream airplay. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2026 Women also traditionally have had a harder time getting recording contracts and radio airplay. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for airplay

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airplay was in 1942

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airplay. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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