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.
Phone plans include unlimited nationwide calling, Caller ID, three-way calling, call forwarding, voicemail and other features. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 1 July 2025 The Associated Press left a voicemail Monday for Soliman’s public defender in the state case. Colleen Slevin, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 Newsweek reached out to Bacon's office in Washington, D.C., via phone Friday night and left a voicemail. Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Marielle Segarra, NPR, 26 June 2025 As part of the rollout for its music video, Vernon is encouraging listeners to call 1-888-FROM-BON and leave a voicemail; both Vernon and Weisberg will be responding to select messages left by fans in the days to come. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025 Scammers grab a clip of your child’s, spouse’s, boss’ voice from social media, podcasts or even your voicemail. Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025 What To Know Mamdani's office received four threatening voicemails from an unknown individual, a spokesperson for his campaign told various news outlets. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The unidentified man made the threat in a voicemail left with Assemblyman Mamdani’s office in Queens on Wednesday. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 June 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 14 Jul. 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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