Home US English octothorp

Definition of octothorp in English:

octothorp

(also octothorpe)

Pronunciation /ˈäktəˌTHôrp/ /ˈɑktəˌθɔrp/

noun

  • Another term for the pound sign (#).

    ‘By dialing the octothorpe (#) and 44, then saying ‘Messages,’ a subscriber can retrieve voice mail.’
    • ‘This starts with an octothorpe and consists of 6 hex numbers.’
    • ‘Common names for an octothorpe include number sign, hash (most common in the UK), or pound (US standard usage).’

Origin

1970s of uncertain origin; probably from octo- (referring to the eight points on the symbol) + the surname Thorpe.