fob

1 of 3

noun

ˈfäb 

1

: watch pocket

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

fob

2 of 3

verb

fobbed; fobbing

transitive verb

archaic

: deceive, cheat

FOB

3 of 3

abbreviation

free on board

Examples of fob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Button batteries Button cell and lithium coin cell batteries are small, dime-like discs commonly found in watches, key fobs, hearing aids, musical greeting cards, cameras and flameless candles. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

The investigation found that two other vehicles were stolen as well as multiple fraudulent VIN packages, key fobs, fake registration papers and more. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024

Verb

My mom fobbed me off with wistful trips around the city. —Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

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

Phrases Containing fob

• fob off
• fob someone off with
• fob someone or something off
• fob something off as

Kids Definition

fob

noun

ˈfäb

1

: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch

2

: a small ornament worn on a watch chain

3

or key fob : an object attached especially 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 to remotely work another device

Legal Definition

F.O.B.

abbreviation

free on board