cell phone

American  

[sel-fohn] / ˈsɛlˌfoʊn /

Or cellphone

noun

Telecommunications.

cell phones plural

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.

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cell phone Cultural  

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.

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cell phones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cell phone

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

Compare meaning

How does cell-phone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cell phone vs. smartphone

Example Sentences

The Texas Tribune is seeking any footage — cell phone video or other Instagram photos or posts — as well as tips related to the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on July 7, 2025.

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2026

"If we can do that, maybe someday we could do quantum computing in a cell phone," Pan says with a smile.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

The third thought his cell phone was part of his anatomical makeup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Hontiveros, who noted that symbols on her cell phone screen changed to Chinese characters before landing, said she was bringing with her essential goods and medical services to help the island's development.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

But something I couldn’t see or understand was holding me together so that I didn’t completely break and stop working, like my cell phone at the beginning of summer.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• cellular phone
• wireless telephone