beep

[beep] /bip/
noun
1.
a short, relatively high-pitched tone produced by a horn, electronic device, or the like as a signal, summons, or warning.
2.
one of the periodic signals sounded by a beeper.
verb (used without object)
3.
to make or emit such a sound:
When the timer beeps, take the cake out of the oven.
verb (used with object)
4.
to sound (a horn, warning signal, etc.):
impatient drivers beeping their horns.
5.
to announce, warn, summon, etc., by beeping:
The doctor was beeped to call the hospital.
Origin
1925-30; imitative
Examples from the web for beep
  • The hollow, intermittent beep of the heart machine, and the suctioning sound of the oxygen machine filled the cubicle.
  • There is not a note of music in the picture, only an electronic hum or beep-beep in the strikingly photographed sequences.
  • At the sound of the beep, the student turns around and runs back to the other end.
  • Listen every hour for the beep that says the seal has returned to the beach.
  • One will beep if the driver inadvertently drifts out of lane.
  • It heats up beautifully to six different temperatures, with a green light and a beep to tell you that it's ready.
  • Shameless familial plug here: my sister and father are almost done making a film about beep ball, which is blind baseball.
  • Ian's heartbeat, a beep on the anesthesia monitor, registered five times before either of us spoke.
  • He unblinkingly beep-beeped and they doggedly transcribed the dots and dashes.
  • Interestingly enough, it doesn't beep at you to take the money.
British Dictionary definitions for beep

beep

/biːp/
noun
1.
a short high-pitched sound, esp one made by the horn of a car, bicycle, etc, or by electronic apparatus
verb
2.
to make or cause to make such a noise
Derived Forms
beeper, noun
Word Origin
C20: of imitative origin
Word Origin and History for beep
interj.

1927, imitative of automobile horns (originally of the sound of a certain type of automobile horn among several types in use in the years after the klaxon horn was brought into use c.1910). Used as a noun and verb by 1929. Related: Beeped; beeping.

Slang definitions & phrases for beep

beep

noun
  1. : The car gave a few hearty beeps (1920s+)
  2. A usually high-pitched short burst of sound emitted by an electronic device on a satellite, rocket, telephone answering machine, etc: Please leave your message when you hear the beep (1950s+ Aerospace)
verb
  1. To sound the horn of a car (1920s+)
  2. To notify someone by a beep that attention or action is needed: So I called the doctor and they beeped him and he called me

[1970s+; echoic]


beep in Technology


bell

Related Abbreviations for beep

beep

borough president