cell phone

American  

[sel-fohn] / ˈsɛlˌfoʊn /

Or cellphone

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.

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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.

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

"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

Citing the “unique nature of cell phone location records,” a 5-4 majority found “a legitimate expectation of privacy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

"Have some decency. This will end one day," Lopez said after being arrested, in cell phone video that went viral at the time.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

And they didn’t have a warrant, so they had to wait for the someone from outside, an FBI guy, to come in to show me a warrant on a cell phone ...

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

His dad carried a beat-up cell phone on a lanyard around his neck so he could get to it without having to reach into his pocket.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Related Words

• cellular phone
• wireless telephone