answering machine

noun

Definition of answering machine

: a machine that receives telephone calls by playing a recorded message and usually by recording messages from callers

Examples of answering machine in a Sentence

I haven't spoken to him yet, but he left a message on my answering machine.

Recent Examples on the Web

After leaving a message on his childhood love’s answering machine, Jack is determined to erase the message at any cost. — Vogue, "The Best New Year’s Eve–Theme Movies and TV Shows to Watch Tonight," 31 Dec. 2018 West Sacramento police arrested a River City High School student in connection with a theatening voicemail made Friday but discovered Monday on the school's main officer answering machine. — Benjy Egel And Cathy Locke, sacbee, "Three arrested in separate school-related threats in Folsom, West Sacramento and Roseville," 6 Mar. 2018 Well, in many ways, Siri is just an answering machine. — James Vincent, The Verge, "Apple’s new AI chief might actually be the right person to fix Siri," 11 July 2018 That was back in the old tape answering machine days. — Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, "Weezer's biggest hit in a very long time is a Toto 'Africa' cover. Go figure," 3 July 2018 Messages left on an answering machine at the couple's home number were not immediately returned. — CBS News, "Neighbors stunned after "pleasant" man revealed to be long-missing Air Force officer," 12 June 2018 Messages left on an answering machine at the couple’s home number were not immediately returned. — Washington Post, "Neighbors stunned by man who vanished from Air Force," 11 June 2018 Alaska Neuro Associates is closed until June 25, according to an answering machine message at the company's office. — Laurel Andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage neuropsychologist charged with possessing and distributing child pornography," 21 June 2018 Authorities said McKinnon left a threatening, four-minute, profanity-laced message in February 2017 on an answering machine at St. Raphael School. — Clifford Ward, Naperville Sun, "Army vet sentenced to probation for threats against Naperville school and Wheaton officials; will get treatment from VA," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'answering machine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.