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
Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
That night, Tarantino got a voicemail from Madsen, who backed up his decision to get rid of Tierney.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 2 Aug. 2025
The film tells the story of Jill, who copes with her sister’s death by leaving her voicemails chronicling her chaotic life in San Francisco.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
If leaving a voicemail is necessary, calls will be returned as soon as possible, according to the agency.
—Arkansas Online, 30 July 2025
Android users won't be notified of the missed call or voicemail, but the call will show up in the call history.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Comforting Memories: After a person dies, their digital scraps — text messages, emails, playlists and voicemails — are left behind.
—Colin Dickey, New York Times, 10 July 2025
No one answered the phone at LoopNet.com, and a voicemail left there was not returned.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Sardinha’s best friend, who received the voicemail that captured part of the killing, told the judge that her friend’s screams still haunt her.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Malaka Gharib, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
That night, Tarantino got a voicemail from Madsen, who backed up his decision to get rid of Tierney.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 2 Aug. 2025
The film tells the story of Jill, who copes with her sister’s death by leaving her voicemails chronicling her chaotic life in San Francisco.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
If leaving a voicemail is necessary, calls will be returned as soon as possible, according to the agency.
—Arkansas Online, 30 July 2025
Android users won't be notified of the missed call or voicemail, but the call will show up in the call history.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Comforting Memories: After a person dies, their digital scraps — text messages, emails, playlists and voicemails — are left behind.
—Colin Dickey, New York Times, 10 July 2025
No one answered the phone at LoopNet.com, and a voicemail left there was not returned.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Sardinha’s best friend, who received the voicemail that captured part of the killing, told the judge that her friend’s screams still haunt her.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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