bleep

[bleep] /blip/

noun

a brief, constant beeping sound, usually of a high pitch and generated by an electronic device.

such an electronic sound used to replace a censored word or phrase, as on a television broadcast.

Also, blip. (used as a euphemism to indicate the omission or deletion of an obscenity or other objectionable word).

verb (used without object)

(of an electronic device) to emit a series of bleeps as an audible signal, summons, or warning.

verb (used with object)

Also, blip. to censor (an obscene, vulgar, or other objectionable word or phrase) from a radio or television broadcast by deleting from the audio signal, leaving a gap or an electronic tone:

The word was bleeped out of the comedian's routine.

Origin

1950-55; perhaps imitative

Examples from the web for bleep

Steven's impressed by the bleep it took to sing it and asks him to do something else.
The posted version appears to have been edited to bleep out the names of some of the suspects being discussed.
The bleep grew larger, localized now, between his ribs on the right side.

British Dictionary definitions for bleep

bleep

/bliːp/

noun

a short high-pitched signal made by an electronic apparatus; beep

another word for bleeper

verb

(intransitive) to make such a noise

(transitive) to call (someone) by triggering the bleeper he or she is wearing

Word Origin

C20: of imitative origin

Word Origin and History for bleep

"electronic noise," 1953, imitative.

1957, from bleep (n.); specific sense of "edit a sound over a word deemed unfit for broadcast" is from 1968 (earliest reference seems to be to the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" on U.S. television). Related: Bleeped; bleeping.

Slang definitions & phrases for bleep

bleep

adj,n,v

A generalized euphemism substituted for a taboo or vulgar term; blankety-blank: your bleeping black ass/ They're a bunch of arrogant bleeps who think their stuff doesn't stink/ The movie ain't no blipping good

[1970s+; fr the practice of erasing objectionable material on a tape or in a soundtrack with a high-pitched sound called echoically a bleep]