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instant messaging
noun
: a means or system for transmitting electronic messages instantly
instant message
noun or verb
Examples of instant messaging in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
WhatsApp was a $19.3 billion purchase for Meta WhatsApp is an instant messaging service that began in 2009.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024
Snapchat, an instant messaging app, is not owned by Meta but is actually owned by the company Snap Inc. Snap Inc. was cofounded by Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy in September 2011.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024
Snap, the company behind the instant messaging app Snapchat, has already come out in support of the Kids Online Safety Act, which could lead to more lawsuits against tech companies that recommend harmful material to young users.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024
Messenger was introduced in 2011 Facebook launched its instant messaging product, Messenger, in 2011
Oculus was a $2 billion Meta acquisition
In 2014, Facebook purchased Oculus, which offers virtual reality hardware and software, and has renamed it Meta Quest.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024
Utilize tools like video conferencing, project management software and instant messaging.
—Leonard Martin Schmedding, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
At the start of a new quarter, many UC Irvine students join communities on the instant messaging platform Discord to swap notes, chat about local restaurants and form interest groups.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024
This includes understanding digital etiquette across cultures, a vital skill in a world where video conferences and instant messaging are ubiquitous.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
According to current trends, by 2030, artificial satellites will outnumber real stars, and no corner of the planet will be spared: the starry messengers shoved aside by instant messaging.
—TIME, 15 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instant messaging.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1995, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of instant messaging was
in 1995
Dictionary Entries Near instant messaging
Cite this Entry
“Instant messaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instant%20messaging. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
instant messaging
noun
instant mes·sag·ing
-ˈme-sə-jiŋ
: a means or system for transmitting electronic messages instantly
instant message
noun
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