ringtone

noun

ring·​tone ˈriŋ-ˌtōn How to pronounce ringtone (audio)
: the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call

Examples of ringtone 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.
Horror heads will be able to spot small Easter eggs and nods to other, classic movies — like Norman’s ringtone, which is the theme to 1978’s Halloween. Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025 His ringtone is the song Brazilian musician Oswaldo Montenegro wrote in Shampoo’s honour. Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Later, while wearing Ray‑Ban Meta glasses and the neural wristband, Zuckerberg repeatedly failed to answer an incoming video call on stage despite multiple attempts, eventually giving up as the ringtone continued, with other outlets noting similar struggles during the event. Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025 Reynolds added, singing the lyrics to what was his ringtone at the time. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ringtone

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringtone was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

“Ringtone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringtone. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

ringtone

noun
ring·​tone ˈriŋ-ˌtōn How to pronounce ringtone (audio)
: the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call

More from Merriam-Webster on ringtone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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