随身听即指便携式袖珍播放机，属于电子产品的一个种类。1972年由德国人Andreas Pavel发明，1977年申请专利，但与日本Sony公司诉讼多年还被Sony冻结资产，之后Sony才同意和解付钱给Andreas Pavel。该辞汇最初出自日本索尼公司（Sony）的一个品牌，中文名称由“Walkman”转变而来。随身听最初只有收音、磁带播放或录音功能，由于体积很小，携带时挂于腰部，多年轻人使用。随着电子技术的发展和进步，体积变得越来越小，并演变出多种品种，包括对应CD、MD、MP3、MP4等数据媒介或格式的机种。

A personal stereo is a portable audio player using an audiocassette player, battery power and in some cases an AM/FM radio. This allows the user to listen to music through headphones while walking, jogging or relaxing. Personal stereos typically have a belt clip or a shoulder strap so a user can attach the device to a belt or wear it over his or her shoulder. Some personal stereos came with a separate battery case.