busy signal


noun

Telephony. a regular succession of buzzing tones transmitted to a caller to indicate that the circuit serving the number is blocked or in use, rapid repetition indicating that the network is blocked and normal repetition that the telephone being called is in use.

Origin of busy signal

First recorded in 1890–95

Words nearby busy signal

British Dictionary definitions for busy signal

busy signal

noun

US and Canadian a repeated single note heard on a telephone when the number called is already in use Also called (especially in Britain): engaged tone