buzzer

noun

buzz·​er ˈbə-zər How to pronounce buzzer (audio)
1
: one that buzzes
specifically : an electric signaling device that makes a buzzing sound
2
: the sound of a buzzer

Examples of buzzer in a Sentence

Their team was ahead by two points when the buzzer signaled the end of the game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Giants then pulled off one more buzzer-beating trade by flipping reliever Erik Miller for infielder and former first-rounder Marcelo Mayer, their fifth and final trade of the day. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026 Chicago would be wise to part with high-end prospects to get a good starter before the buzzer sounds on Monday. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 That left roughly 36 hours between the final buzzer in Portland and the opening tip against the Lynx, with a travel day in between. — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Awak Kuier missed a corner 3-point shot before Shepard's putback attempt at the buzzer missed. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buzzer

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buzzer was in 1604

Browse Nearby Words

buzz cut
buzzer
buzzer-beater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buzzer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buzzer. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

buzzer

noun
buzz·​er ˈbəz-ər How to pronounce buzzer (audio)
: an electric signaling device that makes a buzzing sound

More from Merriam-Webster on buzzer

Nglish: Translation of buzzer for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All