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.
Micron did not immediately return a voicemail or email request for comment. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025 Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Becky Harlan, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 In 2007, Baldwin left an angry voicemail for his oldest daughter, 29-year-old Ireland Baldwin, amid his bitter custody dispute with his first wife Kim Basinger. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025 The union president did not return an email or voicemail. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025 Cooper admitted that the gesture quickly grew as thousands of people began leaving voicemails for him. Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025 Atwood has previously hung up on a call and not responded to voicemails and text messages. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 11 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

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voicemail was in 1980

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 9 Mar. 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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