speakerphone

American

[spee-ker-fohn] / ˈspi kərˌfoʊn /

noun

a telephone or telephone attachment equipped with both loudspeaker and microphone, thus permitting the instrument to be used without being held.

speakerphone British

/ ˈspiːkəˌfəʊn /

noun

a telephone incorporating an external microphone and loudspeaker, allowing several people to participate in a call at the same time

"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 speakerphone

1955–60, (loud)speaker + (micro)phone or (tele)phone

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.

The president sometimes messes with the reporters on the line or lets people around him eavesdrop on speakerphone.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

Patel was able to get President Trump on speakerphone, and the president congratulated the team for a hard-fought and well-earned victory.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The pair had a late-night argument, which Sandra realised towards the end had been broadcast on speakerphone.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

He found it hard to have speakerphone calls and listen to music.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

This time, he got Dr. Watson on a sleek black speakerphone.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

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