answering machine
noun
: 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
Jarvis agreed to press charges, and the family’s answering machine filled up with messages consisting of nothing but loud barking.
—
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
As a reporter was leaving a message on her answering machine, O’Dell picked up.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 14 June 2024
Starting in the 1930s, for example, AT&T’s management sat on recording inventions that could have been used for answering machines, for fear this innovation might jeopardize the use of the telephone.
—Ganesh Sitaraman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
Its characters talk on big clunky phones and discuss the Seattle SuperSonics; a major plot point involves an answering machine eating a cassette tape.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for answering machine 
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
As a reporter was leaving a message on her answering machine, O’Dell picked up.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 14 June 2024
Starting in the 1930s, for example, AT&T’s management sat on recording inventions that could have been used for answering machines, for fear this innovation might jeopardize the use of the telephone.
—Ganesh Sitaraman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
Its characters talk on big clunky phones and discuss the Seattle SuperSonics; a major plot point involves an answering machine eating a cassette tape.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for answering machine
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'answering machine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to answering machine
Dictionary Entries Near answering machine
Cite this Entry
“Answering machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answering%20machine. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share