answering machine


noun

an electronic device that is attached to a telephone and that automatically answers callers with a prerecorded message and records their messages for later playback.

Origin of answering machine

First recorded in 1975–80

Words nearby answering machine

British Dictionary definitions for answering machine

answering machine

noun

a device by means of which a telephone call is answered automatically and the caller enabled to leave a recorded message In full: telephone answering machine Also called: answerphone