text message

American  

noun

• text messages
  plural

1. an electronic message sent over a cellular network from one cell phone to another by typing words, often in shortened form, as “l8t” for “late,” on the phone's numeric or QWERTY keypad.

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text message British  

noun

1. a written message sent by means of a mobile phone

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• text messages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of text message

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

text message

It also warned, via text message, the central government's representation in Ceuta and the civil guard about the social media activity.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

“FREE TICKETS,” screamed a text message sent out to people on a RNC donor list.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

Over the next year, nearly 4 million will receive invites on the NHS App or via text message, email or letter to order a free kit to use at home.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

“Shelters can be depressing, and pigs are smart,” Harrison said in a text message.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Maybe she’d told her parents about how upset she was, and about how Max had sent her a worried text message.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix