fob

1 of 3

noun

1
2
: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch
3
: an ornament attached to a fob chain
4
or key fob : an object attached to a key chain or key ring
especially : a small electronic device used typically in place of a key (as to unlock a door or start a vehicle) or to remotely initiate the action of another device (such as a garage door)
Wireless systems are triggered by pressing a button on a remote fob much like those used for car alarms. Max Alexander
The remote-start key fob has a range of several hundred feet, allowing you to start the car's engine from inside your home. Consumer Reports

fob

2 of 3

verb

fobbed; fobbing

FOB

3 of 3

abbreviation

Examples of fob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The new token is sized more like a car fob, with buttons for alarm activation and deactivation, as well as panic. PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024 The tailgate also senses the fob, opening and closing automatically. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024 My only real product request would be to be able to use my phone’s NFC chip for key fobs and other tappable cards — and hey, there’s a whole antitrust case about that now. David Pierce, The Verge, 24 Mar. 2024 Its remote-access key fob rests in a Faraday bag, to jam illicit unlocking signals. Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 All of this computer technology is primitive compared to, say, the key fob that unlocks your car, says Dodd. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 The man sped off without the vehicle’s key fob, according to Lane, which may have also caused the car to shut off. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The report also said that an unidentified man was seen on surveillance video the day after Mooney was last seen alive, carrying plastic bags into her residence and using Mooney’s key fob to activate the elevator. Andy Rose, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 Police noted a key fob for a Kia and two handguns were located near Boyd and Ivy-Dede's bodies. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Jan. 2024
Verb
My mom fobbed me off with wistful trips around the city. Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fob.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps akin to German dialect Fuppe pocket

Verb

Middle English fobben

First Known Use

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fob was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fob

Cite this Entry

“Fob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fob. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

fob

noun
ˈfäb
1
: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch
2
: a small ornament worn on a watch chain
3
or key fob : an object attached to a key chain or key ring
especially : a small electronic device used typically in place of a key (as to unlock a door) or to remotely work another device

Legal Definition

F.O.B.

abbreviation
free on board
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!