helpline

noun

help·​line ˈhelp-ˌlīn How to pronounce helpline (audio)
 Southern often  ˈhep-,
 also  ˈheəp-
variants or less commonly help line
plural helplines also help lines
: a phone service providing help or assistance: such as
a
: a telephone service that is usually available to the public and that provides advice, support, resources, etc. for some specific purpose (such as crisis intervention)
a free/confidential/24-hour helpline
He's also a peer support specialist for DeQH, a helpline for South Asian LGBTQ people.Rose Brennan
Calls to state addiction help lines have risen, as have alcohol use, drug overdoses and relapse rates, experts have said.Steve Janoski
helpline volunteers offer support and basic information, locate treatment options in your area, and can help you find answers to any questions you may have.Radhika Menon
b
: a customer service line to provide support (such as technical support) for a product, service, etc.
Before making your purchase, phone the software vendor's customer helpline to make sure customer representatives are knowledgeable.Eric Berg
A user's guide, software documentation, and telephone helpline are included.Carol Tenopir
All week, Mata and other staffers have spent hours calling help lines set up by drug plan providers, only to get constant busy signals.Nicole Foy

Examples of helpline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For questions, people are directed to call a helpline for those affected by the ransomware attack at 866-724-3233, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2024 The helpline has long been criticized as a tool to protect the church rather than abuse victims. Erin Alberty, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 Popular on Variety Addressing current industry safeguards, Arterton highlighted the presence of support systems, including anonymous helplines on call sheets. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 Find other international suicide helplines at Befrienders Worldwide (befrienders.org). Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for helpline 

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of helpline was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near helpline

Cite this Entry

“Helpline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helpline. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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