octothorpe
Number symbol name
Octothorpe is a playful technical name for the symbol #, also called the pound sign, number sign, or hash.
The term emerged among telephone engineers in the 1960s and 1970s, though its exact coinage remains disputed.
While rarely used in everyday speech, octothorpe appears in computing and telecommunications contexts where precision matters.
The octothorpe key lets you access voicemail options.
Symbol for number
- hash markSymbol resembling tic-tac-toe grid
- number sign# glyph
- crosshatchIntersecting line pattern
- tic-tac-toeThree-in-a-row grid game
sharp · gate · mesh · crisscross · asterisk · ampersand · at sign · dagger
Labeled link for posts
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- tweetSmall bird's cry
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- metadataDescriptive information about content
viral · discovery · topic · categorization · Twitter · Instagram · mention · follow
Cord for binding
- glyphVisual form of character
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- ASCIIElectronic character encoding standard
- keyboardArray of input keys
encoding · font · typeface · printing · proofreading · copy editing · markup · annotation
Fine-edged, or astute
- notationSystem of written symbols
- pitchFrequency of sound
- semitoneMinimum Western musical interval
- accidentalOccurring by chance
key signature · score · staff · chromatic · enharmonic · flat · natural
Button array for input
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- touch-toneButton-based phone system
- voicemailRecorded caller messages
- automated menuComputerized telephone navigation system
PIN entry · conference call · extension · phone tree · IVR · telephone
pound sign
Symbol for number
- hash markSymbol resembling tic-tac-toe grid
- number sign# glyph
- crosshatchIntersecting line pattern
tic-tac-toe · sharp · gate · mesh · crisscross · asterisk · ampersand · at sign · dagger · pilcrow
hashtag
Labeled link for posts
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- tweetSmall bird's cry
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
metadata · viral · discovery · topic · categorization · Twitter · Instagram · mention · follow · engagement
ligature
Cord for binding
- glyphVisual form of character
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- ASCIIElectronic character encoding standard
keyboard · encoding · font · typeface · printing · proofreading · copy editing · markup · annotation
sharp
Fine-edged, or astute
accidental · key signature · score · staff · chromatic · enharmonic · flat · natural
keypad
Button array for input
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- touch-toneButton-based phone system
- voicemailRecorded caller messages
automated menu · PIN entry · conference call · extension · phone tree · IVR · telephone