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

Jan 1 — long before Ota arrived on scene — fire commanders discussed in a group chat “the hose/equipment pick up operation,” according to text messages obtained by The Times through a public records request.

From Los Angeles Times

Residents had been notified of the drill, which included more than 300 participants, via text messages.

From Barron's

He shared copies of text messages and a payment allegedly made by Matlala to prove this at the time.

From BBC

The Times reviewed text messages among firefighters and a third party, sent in the weeks and months after the fire, describing the crew’s concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

Plasencia, who mused in text messages to Chavez "I wonder how much this moron will pay," was jailed this month for two-and-a-half years.

From Barron's