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

Rodríguez, in turn, has acknowledged that there have been telephone calls and said that the tone is "courteous" and "mutually respectful."

From BBC

Oh, sure, she’d seemed fairly reasonable at first, except for being scared to talk on the telephone.

From Literature

Former executives said he typically didn’t send emails, preferring telephone calls and in-person meetings.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 1877, Berliner, then working with Edison, created the first “telephone voice transmitter,” a device that used a vibrating metal diaphragm to convert sound waves into electrical signals for transmission over telephone lines.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the airport has removed some seating, telephone boxes, and other "clutter" in Terminal 3 and that it feels less crowded as a result, even though there are more people.

From BBC

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial
• phone