telephone
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
-
to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
-
to send (a message) by telephone.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
-
Also called: telephone set. an electrical device for transmitting speech, consisting of a microphone and receiver mounted on a handset
-
( as modifier )
a telephone receiver
-
-
-
a worldwide system of communications using telephones. The microphone in one telephone converts sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted along a telephone wire or by radio to one or more distant sets, the receivers of which reconvert the incoming signal into the original sound
-
( as modifier )
a telephone exchange
a telephone call
-
-
See telephone box
verb
-
to call or talk to (a person) by telephone
-
to transmit (a recorded message, radio or television programme, or other information) by telephone, using special transmitting and receiving equipment
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have telephonedperfect
-
has telephonedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been telephoningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am telephoningprogressive 1st person singular
-
is telephoningprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are telephoningprogressive
-
have been telephoningperfect progressive
-
telephoningparticiple
-
telephonessingular 3rd person
Past
-
had telephonedperfect
-
were telephoningprogressive plural
-
telephonedparticiple
-
had been telephoningperfect progressive
-
was telephoningprogressive singular
-
telephonedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of telephone
Explanation
A telephone is an electronic device that you use for conversations over great distances. Telephones used to be fixed to walls and connected by cables, but now most people have cellular telephones, known as cell phones or mobiles. A telephone takes sound waves, converts it into electronic signals, and then converts that back into sound waves — pretty neat. Early telephones frightened people because it seemed spooky that someone not in the room (or even the country) could speak to you, but nowadays distant communication seems perfectly normal. If your mother asks you to telephone her, she wants you to give her a call. The word comes from the Greek words for "afar" (tele-) and "voice"(phone).
Vocabulary lists containing telephone
Common Senses: Phon ("Sound")
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Industrial Revolution - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Journalism
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But after the downing of the helicopter on Monday, Trump said in a telephone interview with ABC News that the United States was responding "in a strong manner".
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
But the geography is more mental than physical in a work that takes place largely through telephone and video calls.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
Bakersfield City Hall, the local police headquarters, nearby buildings and multiple roads were closed during the hostage situation, as the police department's negotiation team began contacting the suspect via telephone.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
The Roaring ’20s: Driven by easy credit and an industrial build-out of new technologies like the radio and the telephone, this historic bubble peaked on Sept. 3, 1929.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
What with the telephone and the Rural Free Delivery, there wasn’t much place to hide anymore.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
