Bleeps are a common sound that we hear in our daily lives, whether it’s on television, radio, or even in our own devices. But what is the definition and meaning of bleeps? In this article, we will explore the various definitions, origins, and associations of bleeps, as well as their synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Bleeps are short, high-pitched sounds that are used to censor or obscure words or phrases that are considered inappropriate or offensive. They are also commonly used in electronic devices as a warning signal or to indicate an error or malfunction.
Origin
The origin of the word “bleep” is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as a slang term for a curse word. The use of bleeps as a censorship tool became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in the United States, where the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the use of obscene or indecent language on public airwaves.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a bleep is “a short high-pitched sound (as from electronic equipment) used to censor words or phrases.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a short, high-pitched sound made by electronic equipment, used to indicate that something is being censored or to signal an error.”
Associations
Bleeps are often associated with censorship, particularly in the media. They are also associated with electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones, where they are used as warning signals or to indicate an error or malfunction.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bleeps include beep, blip, chirp, and peep.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for bleeps, but some opposite concepts might include clear speech, unobstructed sound, or uncensored language.
The same root words
The word “bleep” does not have any direct root words, but it is believed to have originated as a slang term for a curse word.
Example Sentences
- The television show used bleeps to censor the profanity.
- My phone made a loud bleep to indicate that the battery was low.
- The computer emitted a series of bleeps to indicate a hardware malfunction.
- The radio station was fined by the FCC for not using enough bleeps to censor indecent language.
- I heard a faint bleep coming from the kitchen, and realized it was the smoke detector running low on batteries.