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

At midnight, I got a text message from one of my best friends who grew up a few blocks north of me.

From Los Angeles Times

“Or are there recordings? Are there videos? Are there bank records? Are there text messages? Are there emails?”

From Los Angeles Times

Reached by phone or text message, family members of some missing teens said they weren’t prepared to talk, in part because they were still searching.

From The Wall Street Journal

Smith referred 10 potential clients to Yaghoubtil, nearly all car crash victims, according to text messages between the two men.

From Los Angeles Times

Top fire commanders soon made plans to finish mopping up the scene and to leave with their equipment, according to text messages obtained by The Times through a state Public Records Act request.

From Los Angeles Times