intercom

noun

in·​ter·​com ˈin-tər-ˌkäm How to pronounce intercom (audio)
: a two-way communication system with a microphone and loudspeaker at each station for localized use

Examples of intercom in a Sentence

I heard my name called on the intercom. His secretary's voice came over the intercom, telling him that he had a visitor.
Recent Examples on the Web In the video, the pilot is heard speaking over the plane's intercom. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 11 July 2023 Shortly after, the pilot came on the intercom to inform the passengers that another plane struck their back tail. Video that Wilson recorded from inside the plane shows several emergency trucks and personnel by the aircraft. Sara Smart, CNN, 16 June 2023 Drew manages to mostly avoid a pummeling, but when the avalanche ceases, searches in vain for May, who’s not responding on their intercom system. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Aug. 2023 In two similar incidents over the past week, children’s songs were played over a train intercom, according to the newspaper. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 Proud dad Rich took to the flight's intercom to brag about his son in a heartwarming scene that was captured on TikTok, garnering more than 111,000 likes. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2023 Other features include an in-home fitness center, home theater, wine cellar, multiple fireplaces and an intercom system. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2023 Lunches at sushi restaurants become vindications of internalized prejudice, parking structures exist outside the concept of time, and a mysteriously powerful entertainment industry titan named Mr. Chocolate oversees a multitude of productions through security cameras and an intercom. Yousef Srour, Variety, 14 June 2023 As the Austrian train headed toward Vienna, strange music and announcements began playing on its intercom system. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intercom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for intercommunication system

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intercom was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near intercom

Cite this Entry

“Intercom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercom. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

intercom

noun
in·​ter·​com ˈint-ər-ˌkäm How to pronounce intercom (audio)
: a two-way communication system with microphone and loudspeaker at each end

More from Merriam-Webster on intercom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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