intercom

[ in-ter-kom ]

noun

1. a communication system within a building, ship, airplane, local area, etc., with a loudspeaker or receiver for listening and a microphone for speaking at each of two or more points.
2. a microphone or receiver of such a communication system.

intercom

/ ˈɪntəˌkɒm /

noun

1. informal.
   an internal telephone system for communicating within a building, an aircraft, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercom¹

First recorded in 1935–40; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercom¹

C20: short for intercommunication

Example Sentences

The report also found that the school relied on an app rather than the school’s intercom to send out lockdown alerts, despite spotty wi-fi at Robb and the fact that not all teachers carried their phones at all times.

From Time

She was on a flight from San Francisco to New York when the pilot came on the intercom and announced that as of that moment masking was optional.

From Time

Our requisite everyman protagonist, owner of the voice heard over the intercom, is Mark Scout, played by a smartly cast and unusually depleted-looking Adam Scott.

From Time

As soon as he finished, he says he buzzed prison staff over the intercom, explaining that he was done with his prayer and could now eat.

From Time

Additional features include a talk-back intercom that allows parents to soothe their baby, as well as a night-light feature and customizable volume.

From Popular-Science

We would be outside the outer glass box and talk to him via an intercom system.

From The Daily Beast

I was sitting in a 6th grade classroom when the principal came on the intercom to say the president had been shot.

From The Daily Beast

The school had an intercom system aimed at stopping unauthorized entry--and he did it anyway.

From The Daily Beast

“This one is for you, Salman,” George boomed over the intercom.

From The Daily Beast

Forster recognized the voice on the intercom as Tom Summerford's.

From Project Gutenberg

Without waiting for an answer, he turned away from Mike and walked toward the cabinet that held the intercom speaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor could Logan switch to "intercom only," since a sudden radio silence would create anxiety below.

From Project Gutenberg

A few minutes later, Arcot seated himself at the control board and flipped on the intercom to the power room.

From Project Gutenberg

Morey pushed himself back to the observatory, and after a few minutes, his voice came over the intercom.

From Project Gutenberg

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