Buzzer

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbÊŒzÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈbÊŒzəɹ/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒzÉ™(ɹ)

Origin

From buzz + -er.

Full definition of buzzer

Noun

1. One who, or that which, buzzes; an insect that buzzes.
• ShakespeareAnd wants not buzzers to infect his ear
  With pestilent speeches of his father's death.
• 1895, George Meredith, The Amazing Marriage, ... it left, however, a bee at his ear and an itch to transfer the buzzer's attentions and tease his darling; for she had betrayed herself as right good game.
2. A device that makes a buzzing sound.
• If you think you know the answer to the question, hit the buzzer as fast as you can.
3. (US slang) A police badge.
• 1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin 2011, p. 28:I flipped my wallet open on her desk and let her look at the buzzer pinned to the flap.