tannoy
tannoy — noun
- tannoysingular
- tannoysplural
1. a system of loudspeakers placed around a public building or outdoor area so that
a system of loudspeakers placed around a public building or outdoor area so that staff can broadcast spoken announcements to everyone there
A voice over the tannoy announced that Liang's train was delayed by thirty minutes.
over the tannoy + that-clause
Mayumi heard her gate number called out on the airport tannoy and started running.
on the airport tannoy
The head teacher spoke over the tannoy to tell everyone about the fire drill.
A crackling tannoy in the supermarket asked staff to report to the warehouse.
Liam missed the tannoy announcement and had no idea his platform had changed.
- PA system
the usual term in American English; more formal and international
- public-address system
the full technical name, often used in official documents
- loudspeaker
refers to a single speaker unit, not the whole announcement system
用法筆記
Tannoy is a trademark, but in British English it is commonly used as a general word for any public-address system. This generic use is rare in American English, where 'PA system' or 'loudspeaker' is preferred.