burner phone

noun

: a prepaid cell phone that is not bound to a contract with a carrier (see carrier sense 7b) and is usually intended to be disposed of after use
She said he returned a short time later, got a lot of cash, then left again with the drugs and money after talking to an unidentified person on a burner phone.Kurt Helin

called also burner

Examples of burner phone in a Sentence

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.
The digital forensics room is analyzing evidence to identify criminals who hide behind burner phones and fake email accounts. J.d. Miles, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 In a Los Angeles County jewelry heist, investigators last year linked a burner phone from a traffic accident to the heist location and to other crimes. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 Some analysts use burner phones. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026 According to court documents, Adams bought five stun guns and burner phones, KVII reports. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burner phone

Word History

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of burner phone was in 1996

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Cite this Entry

“Burner phone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burner%20phone. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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