robocall

noun ro·bo·call \ ˈrō-bō-ˌkȯl \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of robocall

: a telephone call from an automated source that delivers a prerecorded message to a large number of people

Recent Examples of robocall from the Web

If you are registered on the Do Not Call List and receive a call from a telemarketer or a robocall, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://complaints.donotcall.gov/ or 1-888-382-1222.

— melissa ramsey, Houston Chronicle, "BBB on Seniors: Be alert to robocalls, telemarketing scams," 15 June 2018
According to YouMail, a call-blocking service, 3.4bn robocalls were blasted out in April, equivalent to nearly 1,300 every second.

— The Economist, "America is losing the war against robocalls," 26 May 2018
And the volume has skyrocketed, reaching an estimated 3.4 billion in April, according to YouMail, which runs a robocall blocking service.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Legal troubles continue for ex-Volkswagen CEO," 7 May 2018
There are straight-up robocalls that merely deliver recorded messages.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "No One Picks Up the Phone Anymore," 31 May 2018
Merrill said that Clinton previously had recorded a robocall for J.B. Pritzker that went to Illinois Democratic voters on the day of the March gubernatorial primary.

— eric bradner, CNN, "Hillary Clinton backs Stacey Abrams in Georgia Democratic governor's race," 21 May 2018
Even after Trump campaigned for Renacci the weekend before the primary - during official White House business and on the taxpayer dime - and recorded a robocall just before voters went to the booth, Renacci still couldn't break 50 percent.

— seth a. richardson & andrew j. tobias, cleveland.com, "Here are the 9 most interesting storylines from this week's Ohio primary election," 11 May 2018
The city of Birmingham has apologized after a pre-dawn robocall woke residents up Friday morning.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Robocall error wakes up Birmingham residents at 5 a.m.," 20 Apr. 2018
One of them, Mike Cowan, the superintendent of the Mesa Unified School District, was hit with robocalls attacking his position.

— richard ruelas, azcentral, "From skeptic to champion? Gov. Doug Ducey's evolving views on education funding," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'robocall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.