| 1. | the file extension for MPEG Audio Layer-3, a set of standards for compressing and downloading audio files from the Internet. |
| 2. | a file compressed in this format. Compare MPEG. |
MP3  (ěm'pē-thrē')  n.
[From MP(EG-1 layer) 3.] |
A file containing compressed digital audio data, often used to transmit music over the Internet.
MP3
A file extension that encodes music into three layers for the compression of audio signals. Because MP3 files are relatively small, they can easily be transferred across the Internet.
Investopedia Commentary
The controversy over MP3s is due to the fact that copyrighted songs are being distributed illegally through websites.
See also: Bandwidth, Broadband, Internet Service Provider - ISP
Also spelled: mp3, Mp3MP3