808

English

Proper noun

808

1. (often with "the") Hawaii, after the 808 area code.

Noun

808 (plural 808s)

1. A Roland TR-808 drum machine.
2. A synthesized drum or bass sound that emulates the sound of a Roland TR-808.
   1. (music, chiefly hip-hop) A bassline or sub-bassline, or the sound used for such.
      • 2021, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Open Water, Viking, page 129:

        He too is filling the pocket, darting in the space between the 808 and the glittering melody, closing the distance with his short lines and ad libs.