pager
UK: ˈpeɪdʒə | US: ˈpeɪdʒər
n. a small electronic device that receives and displays short messages or alerts, often used before the widespread adoption of mobile phones.
The word "pager" originates from the verb "page," meaning to summon someone (historically via a public announcement system). The "-er" suffix denotes an object that performs the action, thus forming "pager"—a device used to contact or alert someone. The term became prominent in the late 20th century with the rise of portable communication technology.
Doctors in the 1990s often carried a pager for emergency calls.
She felt nostalgic when she found her old pager in the drawer.
The pager buzzed loudly during the meeting, interrupting the speaker.
Before smartphones, pagers were the primary way to receive urgent messages.
The hospital still uses pagers for reliable communication in critical areas.