beeper

[ bee-per ]

noun

1. a device that connects into a telephone circuit and transmits a periodic signal as an indication that the conversation over the circuit is being recorded.
2. a similar device attached to a free-ranging animal as an aid to learning its habits; biotelemeter.
3. Also called pager. a pocket-size electronic device whose signal notifies a person of an important message, sometimes displaying the telephone number to be called.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beeper¹

First recorded in 1945–50; beep + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Like, at some point, I wore a beeper that wasn’t even working just because it was part of my look.

From Los Angeles Times

“I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Ryan Girdusky said after Hasan called himself a supporter of the Palestinian people.

From Salon

After Hasan weighed in, Girdusky said, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off” — a reference to the use of mobile communications devices to kill members of Hezbollah in Lebanon on Sept. 17.

From Los Angeles Times

“Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girduski said, referring to an Israeli operation in September that planted explosives in the pagers of targeted Hezbollah members, killing at least 40 people and injuring over 3,000.

From Salon

Israel’s stunning success against Hezbollah — from the mass but pinpointed beeper attack on its operatives to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his senior staff — has gone a long way to restoring our military credibility.

From Los Angeles Times