Synonyms

mobile phone

American

noun

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

mobile phone British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mobile phone

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Volunteers being recruited only need a mobile phone to take part and do not have to live in the area.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

In a recent report on SpaceX’s potential impact on the telecom industry, Oppenheimer analyst Tim Horan wrote EchoStar’s Boost mobile phone service could appeal to SpaceX.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

It operates a satellite TV business, a mobile phone operation and satellite services.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

Pauken gave Person 1 a laptop and a mobile phone, which had encrypted messaging apps connected to an account with usernames Catherine and Cathy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

He got his mobile phone out and turned it off.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023