answering service

American  

noun

1. a service providing operators who answer a subscriber's telephone and take messages when the subscriber does not answer.

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Etymology

Origin of answering service

First recorded in 1960–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

answering service

Moreover, I felt like I had to beg or charm the doctor’s secretary or answering service for whatever it was that I needed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

A chip shop manager said he has programmed an AI answering service to take orders in a bid to cut costs.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2025

“We also had an answering service at the time. I’d do all my own billing.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023

Her clinic’s answering service called her three times while she was being diagnosed; her husband, Mike Becher, had to take away her phone.

From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2022

Eventually a company representative or answering service picked up the call.

From Underground by Suelette Dreyfus

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