SMS

abbreviation or noun

ˌes-ˌem-ˈes 

: a technology for sending short text messages between mobile phones

messages sent via SMS

—often used before another noun

Creative, colorful, and sometimes perplexing, emoji add energy to SMS messages.

—Christina Bonnington

also : a message sent using this technology : text message

… is helping to test a device that implants sensors in cows to let farmers know when they are in heat. When that is the case, the device sends an SMS to the farmer's phone.

—John Tagliabue

Examples of SMS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phishing campaigns created with Outsider's tools would generally start with an SMS text message directing unsuspecting users to a fake e-commerce website that would harvest their data, including credit card details. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026

Piccone said every digital nudge became a direct response to how a customer interacted with their physical rental, seamlessly coordinating mobile apps, SMS text messages and the physical package itself. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

Why Microsoft is moving away from SMS codes Microsoft says SMS authentication has become a major source of fraud. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

Gupton is represented by Harden Curtis Kirsten Riley Agency, SMS Talent, and Brookside Artist Management; Perkins by Gersh; Walker by Paradigm and Curtis Brown; Fisher by United Agents, CAA, and Untitled Entertainment; and Molina by Mitchell & Associates Talent and TalentWorks. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Short Message Service

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above