busy signal

noun

1. Telephony.,  a regular succession of buzzing tones transmitted to a caller to indicate that the circuit serving the number is blocked or in use, rapid repetition indicating that the network is blocked and normal repetition that the telephone being called is in use.

busy signal

noun

1. Also called (especially in Britain): engaged tone. a repeated single note heard on a telephone when the number called is already in use

Word History and Origins

Origin of busy signal¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

As well as Bobi Wine, Mr Madoi has made clothes for public figures like Lucky Dube, a late South African reggae star, and Jamaican hitmaker Busy Signal.

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Calls to La Colombe’s five Chicago locations landed one Wi-Fi “yes,” two “noes,” one recurring busy signal, and one “no more indoor seating.”

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Many who called the airline’s overwhelmed customer service center got a busy signal or were stuck on hold for hours.

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Calls to a telephone listing for A Better You yielded a busy signal Thursday.

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He gets a busy signal from the shelter in North Hollywood and discovers with a Google search that it’s permanently closed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times