radiotelephone

American  

[rey-dee-oh-tel-uh-fohn] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈtɛl əˌfoʊn /

noun

1. a telephone in which sound or speech is transmitted by means of radio waves instead of through wires or cables. RT

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verb (used with or without object)

radiotelephoned, radiotelephoning

1. to telephone by radiotelephony.

radiotelephone British  

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˌtɛlɪˈfɒnɪk, ˌreɪdɪəʊtɪˈlɛfənɪ, ˌreɪdɪəʊˈtɛlɪˌfəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: radiophone.   wireless telephone.  a device for communication by means of radio waves rather than by transmitting along wires or cables

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verb

1. to telephone (a person) by radiotelephone

Other Word Forms

• radiotelephonic
  adjective
• radiotelephony
  noun

Etymology

Origin of radiotelephone

First recorded in 1905–10; radio- + telephone

Example Sentences

“We can clearly see the name of the ship Hangong Yu 303,” he said into a radiotelephone, reading out its coordinates on the ship’s bridge.

From The Guardian • Oct. 21, 2020

The ceremonial aspect continued with the raising of the American flag and a radiotelephone conversation with President Richard Nixon.

From The Guardian • Aug. 26, 2012

Shelton himself uses a car radiotelephone to communicate with his henchmen.

From Time Magazine Archive

In addition, he had two-way marine radiotelephone equipment aboard.

From Time Magazine Archive

They were preparing to leave when another flash from Washington came over the radiotelephone.

From Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless