intercom
Americannoun
-
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.
-
a microphone or receiver of such a communication system.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of intercom
First recorded in 1935–40; by shortening
Explanation
An intercom is a device that makes it possible for people to communicate between different rooms or areas of a building. Airplanes use intercoms so the pilot can tell passengers, "Fasten your seat belts!" Many schools have an intercom system, so that students, teachers, and administrators can broadcast announcements to every classroom. Some intercoms operate as one-way communication, while others are two-way intercoms: a friend's apartment building might have an intercom you can speak into, telling her you've arrived, and she can respond, telling you she's buzzing you in. Intercom, dating from 1940, is a shortened form of intercommunication.
Vocabulary lists containing intercom
The Skin I'm In
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Liar & Spy
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The Corruption of Hollis Brown
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Schempp, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against daily morning Bible readings over the intercom, calling that a religious exercise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
Each room is equipped with an intercom to contact guards if needed.
From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026
The red brick building that houses the apartment is also home to 26 other units and offers several high-end communal amenities, including an elevator, laundry room, and video intercom entry.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 4, 2026
“I’m worried about this section. They’re not gonna suddenly cut to it,” Bailey said just before a clip of his tape played, which included the interruption on the theater’s intercom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025
The intercom clicks on: a robotic female voice announces that the library will close in ten minutes.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
Rob Jackson, a passenger on the flight, told the New York Times it had been a normal journey until the descent process began and the fight attendants' intercoms repeatedly started going off.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2024
The district is also adding intercoms and cameras at school entryways.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 26, 2022
The school repaired its intercoms that had been faulty during the lockdown and hosted a town hall with parents to understand more of the issues.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 8, 2022
“Here we have sprinklers and intercoms with fire alarms in the apartments. I feel much safer,” she said.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2022
“Safer, do you really think that anyone who isn’t us is standing around in front of their intercoms pressing the Talk button?”
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
