telephone

American  

[tel-uh-fohn] / ˈtɛl əˌfoʊn /

noun

1. an apparatus, system, or process for transmission of sound or speech to a distant point, especially by an electric device.

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verb (used with object)

telephoned, telephoning

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

2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

telephoned, telephoning

1. to send a message by telephone.

telephone British  

/ ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊn, ˌtɛlɪˈfɒnɪk /

noun

1. 1. Also called: telephone set.  an electrical device for transmitting speech, consisting of a microphone and receiver mounted on a handset

   2. ( as modifier )

      a telephone receiver

2. 1. a worldwide system of communications using telephones. The microphone in one telephone converts sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted along a telephone wire or by radio to one or more distant sets, the receivers of which reconvert the incoming signal into the original sound

   2. ( as modifier )

      a telephone exchange

      a telephone call

3. See telephone box

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verb

1. to call or talk to (a person) by telephone

2. to transmit (a recorded message, radio or television programme, or other information) by telephone, using special transmitting and receiving equipment

Other Word Forms

• pretelephone adjective
• retelephone verb
• telephoner noun
• telephonic adjective
• telephonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of telephone

First recorded in 1825–35; tele- ¹ + -phone

Example Sentences

The four who had marketed the software were found guilty by an Athens court of misdemeanours of violating the confidentiality of telephone communications and illegally accessing personal data and conversations.

From BBC

Four defendants -- two Israelis including a former soldier and two Greeks -- face up to five years in prison for violating the confidentiality of telephone communications.

From Barron's

“Since then, I have to tell you that I sleep more peacefully,” Alcalá, who once tried to lead his own ragtag coup against Maduro, said in a telephone interview from his medium-security facility in Maryland.

From The Wall Street Journal

A court in London is due to hear a case being brought against the police and MI5 by the BBC and one of its former journalists, who was the subject of telephone surveillance.

From BBC

"In total, this allowed Citizens Advice to bring in around £650,000 a year for energy funding in North Yorkshire, employing 20 individuals and running a countywide telephone service," she added.

From BBC

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial
• phone