Definition: dropout

(1) On magnetic media, a bit that has lost its strength due to a surface defect or recording malfunction. If the bit is in an audio or video file, it might be detected by the error correction circuitry and either corrected or not, but if not, it is often not noticed by the human ear or eye.

(2) In data transmission, a momentary loss of signal that is due to system malfunction or excessive noise.