Dictionary

911 en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˌnaɪ̯n wən ˈwən/ (General-American)

Etymology

Chosen by the United States in the 1960s in place of the older British 999 number as a better way to avoid accidental calls from push-button telephones. It is officially pronounced "nine-one-one" and not "nine-eleven;" the latter refers to the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, but the pronunciation "nine-one-one" for the phone number was universal even prior to the attacks. 9/11 is universally distinguished from 911 to refer the September 11 attacks. Officially written as 9-1-1 in regulations and materials from the United States National Emergency Number Association and Federal Communications Commission, which is also advocated by some media style guides.

Meanings

1. (Belize, Canada, Philippines, US, countable, metonymically, qualifier:Liberia, uncountable) Emergency services; emergency service personnel.
   • 911 is sending an ambulance.
2. (Belize, Canada, Philippines, US, colloquial, countable, metonymically, qualifier:Liberia, uncountable) An emergency phone call.
3. (Belize, Canada, Philippines, US, colloquial, countable, metonymically, qualifier:Liberia, uncountable) An emergency.

Forms

wikipedia: National Emergency Number Association · wikipedia: United States · wikipedia: Federal Communications Commission · wikipedia: 9/11 attacks