voicemail
noun
voice·mail
ˈvȯis-ˌmāl 
variants
or less commonly voice mail
or voice-mail
plural voicemails also voice mails or voice-mails
1
: an electronic communication system in which spoken messages are recorded or digitized and stored for later playback by the intended recipient
left a message on the company's voicemail
let the call go to voicemail
I tried calling him twice but I only got his voicemail.
Most vehicles are equipped with hands-free technology for cellphones. However, hands-free does not mean distraction-free. Silence the unit while driving or set up an auto-response that sends calls directly to voicemail.—
Kevin Martin
Kevin Martina voice-mail system
voice-mail messages
2
a
: messages received through a voicemail system
checking her voicemail
b
: a voicemail message
listening to a voicemail
Examples of voicemail in a Sentence
Just leave a message on my voice mail.
I left her a voice mail.
You have two new voice mails.
Recent Examples on the Web
The new system will replace the older fragmented system that separately managed voicemail systems, phone maintenance and support, carrier services, paging and broadcasting systems, and call center functionality, according to the city.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Wilson then got a voicemail about the item being unavailable, and that Dan had already left the store.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
That project resulted in more than 350 conversations and 400 voicemails.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Naperville police are investigating threatening voicemails left at multiple Naperville District 203 schools Tuesday night, according to an email sent out by District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
According to The Independent, some didn’t realize the president was going to be there, while others received emails or voicemails informing them a special guest would be in attendance.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That project generated more than 350 conversations and 400 voicemails.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Archer Western-de Moya did not respond to two voicemails from the Miami Herald requesting comment about the construction site incidents this week.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Save voicemails, emails and letters whenever possible.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
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.
Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Wilson then got a voicemail about the item being unavailable, and that Dan had already left the store.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
That project resulted in more than 350 conversations and 400 voicemails.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Naperville police are investigating threatening voicemails left at multiple Naperville District 203 schools Tuesday night, according to an email sent out by District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
According to The Independent, some didn’t realize the president was going to be there, while others received emails or voicemails informing them a special guest would be in attendance.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That project generated more than 350 conversations and 400 voicemails.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Archer Western-de Moya did not respond to two voicemails from the Miami Herald requesting comment about the construction site incidents this week.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Save voicemails, emails and letters whenever possible.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
