cell phone

or cell·phone

[ sel-fohn ]

noun

, Telecommunications.

1. a wireless telephone using a system of low-powered radio transmitters, with each transmitter covering a distinct geographical area cell, and computer equipment to switch a call from one area to another, thus enabling broad-scale portable phone service.
2. such a wireless telephone that has other functions, as text messaging or internet access.
3. mobile phone ( def ).

cell phone

1. A portable telephone that uses wireless cellular technology to send and receive phone signals. This technology works by dividing the Earth into small regions called cells. Within each cell the wireless telephone signal goes over its assigned bandwidth to a cell tower, which relays the signal to a telephone switching network, connecting the user to the desired party.

Notes

The proximity to a cell tower is often the key to good reception when using a cell phone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cell phone¹

First recorded in 1980–85; cell(ular) ( def ) + phone ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Joel Osteen wants to talk about muting your cell phone at the dinner table.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier this year, security at major airports was tightened because of a tip that al-Asiri had been working on a cell phone bomb.

From The Daily Beast

At least one of those ubiquitous cell phone cameras began filming.

From The Daily Beast

But a stone-cold death threat to my cell phone — that was a new one.

From The Daily Beast

As it turns out, my cell phone number had been searchable through a GoDaddy domain listing I obtained several years ago.

From The Daily Beast

I woke Jolu up by ringing his cell phone and hanging up after the first ring, three times in a row.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cellular phone
• wireless telephone