CultureJuly 17, 2026
soundbite
/ˈsaʊndˌbaɪt/
Definition
A short, catchy segment of audio or music from a longer work that is specifically designed to be easily repeated or shared across social media platforms.
Etymology
The term emerged in the 1970s, combining 'sound' and 'bite' to describe short, impactful clips from televised political speeches or interviews. It suggests a 'morsel' of information or audio that is brief enough to be easily consumed by an audience.
In the news
In the article, the term describes how the catchy, repetitive nature of a song makes it ideal for users to build and share their own TikTok content around. It highlights why certain tracks become viral tools for user-generated videos.
Meet the man behind that viral Puerto Rico song all over your social feeds
Read the full article ↗SMH.com.au