buzzer

noun

buzz·​er ˈbə-zər 

1

: one that buzzes

specifically : an electric signaling device that makes a buzzing sound

2

: the sound of a buzzer

Examples of buzzer in a Sentence

Their team was ahead by two points when the buzzer signaled the end of the game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tell that to Soren Sorensen (Sam) Adams, the Danish immigrant who is credited with inventing many of the same contraptions, along with some six hundred others, including sneezing powder and the joy buzzer. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Trimble’s 3-pointer — which dealt Duke its second loss this season — appeared to be a buzzer-beater at first, sending UNC fans cascading out of the Dean Smith Center stands and onto the floor. —Brendan Marks, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026

His team needed a defensive stop just to manufacture one last game-tying opportunity before the buzzer. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026

Peper then hit a 3-pointer just before the shot-clock buzzer with just over two minutes left to seal the win, exciting the NYU fans, including Barber's mother, who had made the trip to see history. —CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buzzer

• mazar

Kids Definition

buzzer

noun

buzz·​er ˈbəz-ər 

: an electric signaling device that makes a buzzing sound