speaking tube

American  

noun

1. a tube for conveying the voice over a somewhat limited distance, as from one part of a building or ship to another.

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speaking tube British  

noun

1. a tube or pipe for conveying a person's voice from one room, area, or building to another

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Etymology

Origin of speaking tube

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

She said that many details in the heroine’s life – “her speaking tube, her scars, her tattoos, her hairdresser” – came directly from what she told Ms Dahdouh.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2024

Discovering the dumb waiter’s speaking tube, they apologize for the empty state of the larder.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2021

Attached to the wall next to a door is a brass speaking tube that he used to call down for lunch.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2016

So Elliott had some solid science to draw upon when he conducted his own measurements of the speaking tube system in the Cambridge home, part of an electric system for giving household staff the heads-up.

From Scientific American • Jul. 23, 2012

Schaffer signaled down the speaking tube and had his assistant strike Box 342.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy