answering service

noun
1.
a service providing operators who answer a subscriber's telephone and take messages when the subscriber does not answer.
Origin
1960-65
Examples from the web for answering service
  • The hotline has an answering service for night and weekend calls.
  • Calls will be handled by an answering service, and will then be directed to maintenance personnel.
  • After business hours, callers may leave a recorded message or be forwarded to an after-hours pager or answering service.
  • When you call this number you will be offered five prompts by our automated answering service.
  • After normal business hours, the cable system may use an answering service or machine.
  • It cannot consist solely of a telephone answering service.