A disc jockey, or DJ, is someone who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. The name comes from the vinyl records (or “discs”) that DJs originally played, and “jockey” suggests skillfully controlling or guiding something, like a horse jockey guides a racehorse.

DJs work in many different settings. Radio DJs introduce songs, share news, and talk with listeners between tracks. Club DJs play music at parties and dance venues, often mixing songs together so smoothly that one flows into the next without stopping. Some DJs specialize in scratching, a technique where they move a record back and forth under the needle to create rhythmic sounds, turning the turntable itself into a musical instrument.

Modern DJs use many tools beyond vinyl records: digital files, computer software, and electronic controllers. A skilled DJ reads the mood of a crowd and chooses music that keeps people engaged and energized. Wedding DJs might play everything from classical music during dinner to dance hits later in the evening. Hip-hop DJs often collaborate with rappers, adding beats and sound effects during performances.

As a verb, DJ means to act as a disc jockey, or more casually, to keep switching songs or stations, like when you DJ the car radio on a family road trip.