phone

¹

[fohn]

noun

1. telephone.

2. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.

verb (used with object)

phoned, phoning 

1. to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.

2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

phoned, phoning 

1. to send a message by telephone.

phone

²

[fohn]

noun

Phonetics.

1. a speech sound.

   There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”

-phone

³

1. a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone ), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone ), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone ).

-phone

¹

combining form

1. (forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound

   microphone

   telephone

2. (forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular language

   Francophone

phone

²

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

phone

³

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

Other Word Forms

• phonal adjective
• -phonic combining form

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of phone²

First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice

Origin of phone³

phone ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

from Greek phōnē voice, sound

Origin of phone²

C19: from Greek phōnē sound, voice

Example Sentences

The court heard images of the Manchester Jewish Museum were found on Mr Hussein's phone, one of the outside of the building and one of the interior.

Read more on BBC

“Over the last couple of years, the phone was ringing a lot, like every day,” he said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

When kids see adults scrolling their phones at all hours of the day, they begin to think this is normal and acceptable behavior.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

One person talking on a phone, creating the only sound you can hear?

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“I was in the bathroom, and the phone rang, and they yelled my name. I was like, ‘All right, here we go,’” Glasnow said afterward.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• call up 
• contact 
• dial