answering service

noun

1. a service providing operators who answer a subscriber's telephone and take messages when the subscriber does not answer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of answering service¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“We also had an answering service at the time. I’d do all my own billing.”

From Seattle Times

That neurologist wasn’t on call, she was told by the answering service, but someone would call her back.

From New York Times

Her clinic’s answering service called her three times while she was being diagnosed; her husband, Mike Becher, had to take away her phone.

From New York Times

Her clinic’s answering service called her three times while she was being diagnosed; her husband, Mike Becher, had to take away her phone.

From New York Times

“So I went out with my buddies. And when I came home, I called your mom’s old office. Got an answering service. I left a message for them to come in the morning, but by then, it was too late.”

From Literature