ringtone

noun

ring·​tone ˈriŋ-ˌtōn How to pronounce ringtone (audio)
: the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call

Examples of ringtone in a Sentence

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.
Later, while wearing Ray‑Ban Meta glasses and the neural wristband, Zuckerberg repeatedly failed to answer an incoming video call on stage despite multiple attempts, eventually giving up as the ringtone continued, with other outlets noting similar struggles during the event. Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025 Reynolds added, singing the lyrics to what was his ringtone at the time. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025 Leah’s ringtone is the same one from the show. Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025 The hack began about 10 minutes into the meeting as a series of alarms, ringtones and explosions interrupted presenters from news outlets WABC and WPVI. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ringtone

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringtone was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

“Ringtone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringtone. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ringtone

noun
ring·​tone ˈriŋ-ˌtōn How to pronounce ringtone (audio)
: the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call

More from Merriam-Webster on ringtone

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