mobile phone

American  

noun

1. any wireless telephone that operates over a relatively large area, as a cell phone or PCS phone.

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mobile phone British  

noun

1. a portable telephone that works by means of a cellular radio system

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Etymology

Origin of mobile phone

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

It’s true that traditional opinion polls have lost some accuracy, in part because the advent of mobile phones has made it hard for them to reach respondents by phone at home.

From Los Angeles Times

Some commentators suggest mobile phone towers were jammed or shut off to prevent the Ayatollah's security team from being warned about incoming jets, for example.

From BBC

Some travelers pay their mobile phone carrier to have global access during their trip, but this can quickly become expensive.

From Salon

It operates like a mobile phone mast in space, using a constellation of satellites to communicate with small dishes on the ground that have a built-in WiFi router.

From BBC

Shortly afterwards, mobile phones beeped in unison as a missile alert came in and the wail of sirens started up.

From Barron's