instant message

[ in-stuhnt mes-ij ]

noun

1. an electronic message sent in real time via the internet and therefore immediately available for display on the recipient's screen. Compare text message.

verb (used without object)

1. to send such an electronic message. : IM Compare text ( def 16 ).

instant message

noun

1. a message sent using instant-messaging technology

verb

1. to send an instant message (to)

Word History and Origins

Origin of instant message¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

And we would instant message each other and have a conversation about our days.

From The Daily Beast

But because that was the 19th century, kids only instant message.

From The Daily Beast

A woman, home alone at night, receives an instant message from a mysterious stranger who claims to know her.

From The Daily Beast

Several years ago, a congressional probe unearthed a classic instant message exchange between S&P employees.

From The Daily Beast

And Samaritans recently launched IM Hear, a service in which trained teens instant-message with struggling peers.

From The Daily Beast