buzzer

American  

[buhz-er] / ˈbʌz ər /

noun

• buzzers
  plural

1. a person or thing that buzzes.

2. a signaling apparatus similar to an electric bell but without hammer or gong, producing a buzzing sound by the vibration of an armature.

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buzzer British  

/ ˈbʌzə /

noun

1. a person or thing that buzzes

2. a device that produces a buzzing sound, esp one similar to an electric bell without a hammer or gong

3. a wood planing machine

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• buzzers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of buzzer

First recorded in 1600–10; buzz + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buzzer buzzers

Knicks In 5 was a moment everyone lucky enough to watch it will remember forever, down to where they were and what they were thinking as the final buzzer sounded.

From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026

As the final buzzer sounded, thousands of New Yorkers who had traveled to San Antonio yelled, hugged and cried.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

During single-elimination tournaments, he’s researching teams’ fans and tracking every game to ensure American has the right number of flights within minutes of the final buzzer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

The choir won the public vote in Saturday's semi-final, singing Pompeii by Bastille, and will perform in the final alongside golden buzzer winner Celestial and teenager Rafferty Coope, from Hampshire.

From BBC ● May 24, 2026

Finally they reach a gate, and he sets her down on a curbstone and pushes an electric buzzer, and she can hear it ring deep within a house.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Vergara's framed picture of her dog was hidden inside her seat cushion, while Mel B's bracelet was concealed in one of the famous Got Talent red buzzers.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Finally, Gattis addressed the long-running theory that the Astros’ sign stealing extended to the use of under-the-jersey buzzers.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 11, 2023

As Fallon performed, Clarkson, Horan and Chance all hit their buzzers to spin their chairs in approval — only to realize they were being fooled by the late-night host.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2023

Connected buzzers work in much the same way as traditional security cameras.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2022

There was a second locked door and set of buzzers, so I pressed 602 and held it.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon