phone

¹

[fohn]

noun

1. telephone.

2. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.

verb (used with object)

phoned, phoning 

1. to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.

2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

phoned, phoning 

1. to send a message by telephone.

phone

²

[fohn]

noun

Phonetics.

1. a speech sound.

   There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”

-phone

³

1. a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone ), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone ), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone ).

-phone

¹

combining form

1. (forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound

   microphone

   telephone

2. (forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular language

   Francophone

phone

²

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

phone

³

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

Other Word Forms

• phonal adjective
• -phonic combining form

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of phone²

First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice

Origin of phone³

phone ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

from Greek phōnē voice, sound

Origin of phone²

C19: from Greek phōnē sound, voice

Example Sentences

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!"

Read more on Science Daily

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

Read more on Salon

Hundreds of people crowded around to wave flags and film on their phones.

Read more on BBC

The 42-year-old, who was charged under his real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is standing trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court for refusing to give the Pin for his mobile phone to officers during the stop.

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Her friend heard a scream and then another scream, before the phone went dead at 23:19.

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Related Words

• call up 
• contact 
• dial