a machine that you connect to your telephone to answer your calls and record any message left by the person callingI called several times, but only got the answering machine.Oxford Collocations DictionaryAnswering machine is used before these nouns: messageSeefull entryMore Like ThisCompound nouns with –ing formsairing cupboard,answering machine,asking price,baking powder,betting shop,boarding school,booking office,bowling alley,breathing space,breeding ground,changing room,clotting factor,cutting room,draining board,drinking water,eating apple,housing estate,icing sugar,living room,meeting place,nursing home,punching bag,racing car,sleeping pill,starting point,tuning fork,waiting room,working partySee worksheet.See related entries:Communication devices
