beeper

American  

[bee-per] / ˈbi pər /

noun

• beepers
  plural

1. a device that connects into a telephone circuit and transmits a periodic signal as an indication that the conversation over the circuit is being recorded.

2. a similar device attached to a free-ranging animal as an aid to learning its habits; biotelemeter.

3. Also called pager. a pocket-size electronic device whose signal notifies a person of an important message, sometimes displaying the telephone number to be called.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• beepers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of beeper

First recorded in 1945–50; beep + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beeper beepers

Stephen explained: "Everything was geared up to the beeper going off and you being ready."

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026

Like, at some point, I wore a beeper that wasn’t even working just because it was part of my look.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2024

Mei-Mei is sufficiently impressed to encourage him to buy a beeper so she can alert him when she’s free.

From New York Times ● Jul. 21, 2021

Who did Nick Fury ping with his beeper before turning to ash?

From Slate ● Apr. 26, 2018

Dad keeps checking his beeper, hoping someone will call.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

We laugh, we debate whether we’re a Charlotte or a Miranda and we wonder what it would’ve been like to carry beepers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2024

When he traveled back then there weren't cell phones or beepers or anything.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2023

As beepers faded out of style, Klater sought a new business model.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 20, 2021

Some patrons have been coming to his shop since it dealt in beepers and cassette tapes.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 12, 2019

Full of people wearing doctor- nurse clothes with college-degree posture and beepers.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson