2
: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch
3
: an ornament attached to a fob chain
4
or key fob : an object attached to a key chain or key ring
especially : a small electronic device used typically in place of a key (as to unlock a door or start a vehicle) or to remotely initiate the action of another device (such as a garage door)
Wireless systems are triggered by pressing a button on a remote fob much like those used for car alarms. —
Max Alexander
The remote-start key fob has a range of several hundred feet, allowing you to start the car's engine from inside your home. —Consumer Reports
Examples of fob in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The car is also unlocked and running, with its key fob nearby, so it can't be left alone.
—Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
The key fob for the vehicle was in the building and had been stolen.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Bernard DeVoto simply wanted to do something else—a books section—and tried to fob the job off on H. L. Mencken, who wasn’t available.
—Christopher Carroll, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
As such, brands have less license to fob us off with marketing spiel.
—Viola Levy, refinery29.com, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fob
Word History
Etymology
Noun
perhaps akin to German dialect Fuppe pocket
Verb
Middle English fobben
First Known Use
Noun
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of fob was in the 14th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Fob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https:///dictionary/fob. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share