busy signal

bus·y sig·nal

B b

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [biz-ee sig-nl]
- /ˈbɪz i ˈsɪg nl/
- /ˈbɪzi ˈsɪɡnəl/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [biz-ee sig-nl]
- /ˈbɪz i ˈsɪg nl/

Definitions of busy signal words

countable noun busy signal If you try to make a telephone call and get a busy signal, it means that you cannot make the call because the line is already being used by someone else. 3
noun busy signal a repeated single note heard on a telephone when the number called is already in use 3
noun busy signal Telephony. a regular succession of buzzing tones transmitted to a caller to indicate that the circuit serving the number is blocked or in use, rapid repetition indicating that the network is blocked and normal repetition that the telephone being called is in use. 1
noun busy signal buzz when dialled phone in use 1
noun busy signal (US, telephony) An audible signal to the calling party that indicates failure to complete the requested connection; an engaged tone. 0

See all 5 definitions of busy signal

Information block about the term

Origin of busy signal

First appearance:

before 1890

One of the 20% newest English words

First recorded in 1890-95

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Busy signal

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Busy signal

busy signal popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 29% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data about 73% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

busy signal usage trend in Literature

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