walkie-talkie

American  

[waw-kee-taw-kee] / ˈwɔ kiˈtɔ ki /

Or walky-talky

noun

Radio.

1. a combined transmitter and receiver light enough to be carried by one person: developed originally for military use in World War II.

---

walkie-talkie British  

/ ˌwɔːkɪˈtɔːkɪ /

noun

1. a small combined radio transmitter and receiver, usually operating on shortwave, that can be carried around by one person: widely used by the police, medical services, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of walkie-talkie

1935–40, walk, talk, -ie

Example Sentences

She’d hold the cell phone up to both her ear and a walkie-talkie, broadcasting to the other walkie-talkie in Jonah’s hand.

From Literature

“Code … in the building …” a voice came through the walkie-talkie interspersed with static.

From Literature

He wished he and Abby had walkie-talkies or some other way to communicate.

From Literature

Long-range walkie-talkies let the driver communicate with kids who have, for obvious reasons, decided to hide under the bed with them.

From The Wall Street Journal

As he spotted Coal, the cop spoke into his walkie-talkie.

From Literature

Related Words

• intercom
• pager