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.

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.

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

As the light dimmed and the night chilled, the smiling crowds held up cell phone lights giving the gathering a festival-like atmosphere.

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“No individuals were located at the scene. The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities.”

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The Israeli firm produces Pegasus, a highly invasive tool that can reportedly switch on a target's cell phone camera and microphone and access data on it, effectively turning the phone into a pocket spy.

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Sit in a dim restaurant with someone over 60, and you might hear, "Hold on -- let me pull out my cell phone. I need more light to read the menu!"

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“I liken it to the creation of the Internet or the cell phone. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of The Beatles.”

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Related Words

• cellular phone www.thesaurus.com
• wireless telephone