variants or less commonly voice mail or voice-mail
plural voicemails also voice mails or voice-mails
Synonyms of voicemailnext
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.
The phone number on the card matched the number that had left the two voicemails on Streever's phone. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026 Jill processes the loss by leaving voicemails for her sister, updating her about her life. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Screening can include letting a call go to voicemail, and then researching any message left. Ella Moore july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Now, neighbors and friends are re-listening to past voicemails and sharing photos to remember Delima. Joy Benedict, CBS News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for voicemail

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voicemail was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Voicemail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voicemail. Accessed 7 Jul. 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
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