SMS

abbreviation or noun

ˌes-ˌem-ˈes 

: a technology for sending short text messages between mobile phones

Although driven by teens and young adults who seemingly aren't satisfied with online instant messaging, SMS can be very useful for sending urgent messages to family members or co-workers.

—Consumer Reports

—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

Whenever possible, choose an authenticator app or a physical security key over SMS. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025

Despite years of investment in patient portals and SMS reminders, most appointment volume still originates with a phone call. —Mathieu Rihet, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

How to vote on 'American Idol' There are three ways to vote, according to ABC: On the American Idol app Or by SMS text Who's performing during the 'American Idol' season 23 finale? —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

That’s because Scattered Spider has also been known to send fake SMS text messages impersonating login systems to phish employees. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Short Message Service

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above