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
busuuti,
busway,
busy,
busy as a beaver,
busy lizzie,
busy signal,
busy work,
busybody,
busyness,
busywork,
but
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