voicemail

noun

voice·​mail ˈvȯis-ˌmāl How to pronounce voicemail (audio)
variants or less commonly voice mail or voice-mail
plural voicemails also voice mails or voice-mails
1
: an electronic communication system in which spoken messages are recorded or digitized and stored for later playback by the intended recipient
left a message on the company's voicemail
let the call go to voicemail
I tried calling him twice but I only got his voicemail.
Most vehicles are equipped with hands-free technology for cellphones. However, hands-free does not mean distraction-free. Silence the unit while driving or set up an auto-response that sends calls directly to voicemail.Kevin Martin
a voice-mail system
voice-mail messages
2
a
: messages received through a voicemail system
checking her voicemail
b
: a voicemail message
listening to a voicemail

Examples of voicemail in a Sentence

Just leave a message on my voice mail. I left her a voice mail. You have two new voice mails.
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.
Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Margaret Cirino, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025 Leave a voicemail or text your question to the Until Saturday phone: (316) 462-9852. Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 Newsweek contacted Tenney's office via voicemail for more information on the legislation. Theo Burman, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 Heartland Alliance Health’s voicemail directs patients seeking medical and psychiatric care to Cook County Health, and people seeking food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 While attempting to listen to Baldoni’s entire six-minute groveling voicemail to Lively has practically become a TikTok challenge. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025 Check for scam reports: Look up the phone number or details of the voicemail online. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025 Ahead of the trial, which had been expected to last eight to 10 weeks, the tabloid group settled 1,300 other claims related to voicemail interception out of court, a spokesperson for the duke’s legal team previously said. Lauren Kent, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025 The Player’s Tribune shared a sweet voicemail from Jada. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voicemail was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

voice mail

noun
: an electronic communication system in which spoken messages are recorded for later playback to the intended recipient
also : such a message
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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