What does DJ stand for? It stands for disc jockey, a person who selects and plays recorded music for listeners. The "disc" is the record, first the shellac and vinyl records spun on turntables, and the "jockey" is the person in charge of them, the way a jockey guides a racehorse.
The term began with radio hosts who introduced songs between records, then spread to the people who play music at clubs, weddings, school dances and parties. Today a DJ may work with vinyl, digital files or a laptop controller, but the job is the same: choose the right music and keep it flowing for the crowd.
Quick facts
Stands for
Disc jockeyType
Initialism, said DEE jayOther spelling
DeejayAs a verb
"She DJs on Friday nights"Plural
DJsRelated terms
What does DJ stand for in music?
Both letters come from a two word phrase.
| Letter | Word | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| D | Disc | A music record, later also a CD or digital track |
| J | Jockey | Someone who operates or handles something, borrowed from horse racing |
Some people spell the word disk, but disc with a c is the standard spelling in this phrase. You say the letters, "DEE jay," so DJ is an initialism. Writers sometimes spell out the sound as deejay, which is also correct, especially in newspapers and fiction.
Kinds of DJs you might hire or hear
- Radio DJ: hosts a show, introduces songs, reads news or weather and talks with callers. This is the oldest meaning.
- Club DJ: blends tracks so the music never stops, matching tempos measured in BPM to keep people dancing.
- Mobile or event DJ: brings speakers and lights to weddings, proms and company parties, and often acts as the announcer.
- Turntablist: uses turntables like an instrument, scratching and cutting records to create new sounds, a style closely linked to hip hop.
- Producer DJ: writes and records original tracks, often in EDM, and plays them in live sets.
Where the disc jockey name came from
The phrase took hold in American radio in the 1930s and 1940s, when stations began building shows around recorded music instead of live bands. A host who picked and played the records was jokingly called a disc jockey, someone who rode the discs. The short form DJ followed soon after.
The role grew with each new format. Hosts played 78s, then LPs and 45s, then CDs and now digital files. Through every change, the name stayed the same.
DJ in everyday speech
DJ serves as both noun and verb. "Who is the DJ tonight?" uses it as a noun. "My cousin is going to DJ the reunion" uses it as a verb. The past tense is DJed or DJ'd.
A wedding planner's checklist: "Send the DJ your first dance song and a do not play list two weeks before." The DJ here is the hired music host, who also usually runs the microphone for toasts.
People also speak of a "DJ set" (one performance), "DJ booth" (the area with the equipment) and "guest DJ" (a visiting performer).
Examples of DJ in sentences
- "The DJ took requests all night at the school dance."
- "He started as an overnight radio DJ in a small town."
- "Our DJ played a slow song right after the cake cutting."
- "She learned to DJ with an old pair of turntables in her garage."
- "Two local DJs will trade off sets at the street fair."
Other meanings and look-alikes
Almost every time, DJ means disc jockey. A few other uses exist:
- Initials: DJ is a common nickname for someone whose first and middle names start with D and J.
- VJ: a video jockey, who introduces music videos the way a DJ introduces songs.
- MC: master of ceremonies, the person who hosts an event or, in hip hop, the rapper. At many parties, one person is both DJ and MC.
For more letters everyone recognizes, browse our list of famous acronyms.
Questions people ask
What does DJ mean in slang?
In slang, DJ still means the person playing the music, or the act of playing it, as in "Can you DJ the party?" Someone who controls the songs in a car is sometimes called the DJ too.
Is it disc jockey or disk jockey?
Disc jockey is the standard spelling. Disk jockey appears now and then, but most style guides and music writers use disc.
How do you spell DJ as a word?
The spelled out form is deejay. It means exactly the same as DJ and is common in newspapers and novels.
What is the difference between a DJ and a producer?
A DJ plays and mixes music for an audience, often songs made by others. A producer creates or records music. Many artists do both.
Is DJ an acronym?
Technically DJ is an initialism, because D and J are voiced separately. Casual speakers often call it an acronym anyway, and nobody will be confused.