voicemail

noun

voice·​mail ˈvȯis-ˌmāl How to pronounce voicemail (audio)
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
a 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
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.
Chilling voicemails were left for him at his office. Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Zdorovetskiy did not return voicemails or texts left by a reporter. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 Through home videos and voicemails, a young Filipino-American soccer player relives her team’s historic win — culminating in a return to her roots and a journey that is both personal and profound. Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026 Behanan's laywer had not responded to a voicemail seeking comment at the time of this report. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2026 Reilly did not respond to multiple emails and voicemails for comment. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 Georgetown High School was evacuated Wednesday morning after a bomb threat was levied against the school via voicemail, police said. Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026 In the future 2015 timeline, Evan and Lucy sleeping together is still a secret, until Stephen tells Bree in the voicemail. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 Judge Griggsby did not respond to a message left on her voicemail in chambers Tuesday afternoon. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voicemail was in 1980

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

voice mail

noun
: an electronic communication system in which spoken messages are recorded for later playback to the intended recipient
also : such a message
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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