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DictionarybleepElectronic tone
noun / verb

bleep

BLEEP/bliːp/

A brief high-pitched electronic tone.

The scanner gives a short bleep as the item passes.

A checkout scanner gives a brief electronic confirmation as a cashier passes a barcoded item over it.
Etymology

The word imitates the short electronic sound it names. Its earliest recorded use referred to the noise of a Geiger counter.

More examples

  • The monitor bleeped twice.
  • The editor bleeps the private name from the broadcast.
  • Several bleeps came from the console.

Forms

bleep · bleeps · bleeped · bleeping

Similar words

beep
Beep is the more common American term.
chirp
Chirp suggests a shorter, lighter electronic sound.