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

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

The victim, who requested not to be identified, initially received a text message on March 18 asking him to confirm a $350 Apple Store purchase made with his credit card.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

A text message sent by Wilson to the producer Ghost and shown to the court read: "Charlotte says all good. She just meant 'it was a bizarre situation' not that she personally felt uncomfortable."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

They’d just bought kids’ meals for an entire soccer team of five-year-olds when Benji and Felix both got a text message.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty