text message

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of text message

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Not long after the game ended, he heard the ping of a text message.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

I’m not enjoying this feeling — I’m leaving his text message as “unread” until I figure this out.

From MarketWatch • May 16, 2026

The other set is given on the night by viewers voting via telephone, text message or the official app.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

“Civilians don’t get the army stuff,” he later wrote to Lutz in a text message reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Obviously, they know my phone number, judging by the text message avalanche—they must’ve forwarded me straight to a live operator the instant I dialed them.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu