phone

¹ American  

[fohn] / foʊn /

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 American  

[fohn] / foʊn /

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 American  

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

---

-phone ¹ British  

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 British  

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

---

phone ³ British  

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

---

Other Word Forms

• -phonic combining form
• phonal adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

International phone calls have resumed in Iran after being blocked for days, an AFP correspondent said on Tuesday, as demonstrations take place in the Islamic republic.

From Barron's

Today, sites like Robinhood let you register and start trading on your phone in minutes.

From Barron's

Today, sites like Robinhood let you register and start trading on your phone in minutes.

From Barron's

His home screen on his phone displayed a picture of the Taliban flag, prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times

In crowded public grounds and roadside gatherings, young supporters belting out party songs and filming events on their phones outnumber all others.

From BBC

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial