bleep

[ bleep ]

noun

1. a brief, constant beeping sound, usually of a high pitch and generated by an electronic device.
2. such an electronic sound used to replace a censored word or phrase, as on a television broadcast.
3. Also (used as a euphemism to indicate the omission or deletion of an obscenity or other objectionable word.)

verb (used without object)

1. (of an electronic device) to emit a series of bleeps as an audible signal, summons, or warning.

verb (used with object)

1. Also to censor (an obscene, vulgar, or other objectionable word or phrase) from a radio or television broadcast by deleting from the audio signal, leaving a gap or an electronic tone:

   The word was bleeped out of the comedian's routine.

bleep

/ bliːp /

noun

1. a short high-pitched signal made by an electronic apparatus; beep
2. See bleeper
   another word for bleeper

verb

1. intr to make such a noise
2. tr to call (someone) by triggering the bleeper he or she is wearing

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleep¹

First recorded in 1950–55; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleep¹

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

He tried another, and the bleep this time was far more insistent (and more alarming).

From The Daily Beast

If you listened closely during the bleep, you could faintly hear Jacqueline Bissett still giving her speech.

From The Daily Beast

Did Miss New York call current Miss America 'fat as [bleep]'?

From The Daily Beast

Quinn hugged the woman and bellowed, “They may have to bleep ya!”

From The Daily Beast

Scenes like these are replayed daily on TV shows like Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• annul
• black out
• cross out
• cut out
• destroy
• eliminate
• erase
• expunge
• omit
• remove
• wipe out