direct-dial

American  

[dih-rekt-dahy-uhl, -dahyl, dahy-rekt-] / dɪˈrɛktˈdaɪ əl, -ˈdaɪl, daɪˈrɛkt- /

Or direct dial

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make a telephone call outside the local area without the assistance of an operator.

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adjective

1. being a telephone or telephone system enabling long-distance calls to be direct-dialed.

2. of or relating to direct dialing.

Etymology

Origin of direct-dial

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

In 1983, the last full-fledged hand-cranked telephone system in the United States went out of service as 440 telephone customers in Bryant Pond, Maine, were switched over to direct-dial service.

From Washington Times • Oct. 11, 2020

She laughs: "Because you're the one who has the direct-dial phone to the White House."

From BusinessWeek • May 27, 2010

Also in the works is a broad range of video phones for offices and, most exotic of all, portable and cordless little devices that can provide instant direct-dial access to telephones around the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

While direct-dial calls in the affected regions were handled smoothly by automatic switching equipment, customers encountered delays in getting directory assistance, repair service and phone installation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Malone, realizing that with direct-dial phones Boyd had no idea where he was actually calling from, kept wisely quiet.

From Occasion for Disaster by Garrett, Randall