telephone

[ tel-uh-fohn ]
/ ˈtɛl əˌfoʊn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR telephone ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

verb (used with object), tel·e·phoned, tel·e·phon·ing.

to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object), tel·e·phoned, tel·e·phon·ing.

to send a message by telephone.
Also phone.

Origin of telephone

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

OTHER WORDS FROM telephone

tel·e·phon·er, noun pre·tel·e·phone, adjective re·tel·e·phone, verb, re·tel·e·phoned, re·tel·e·phon·ing.

Words nearby telephone

telepath, telepathist, telepathize, telepathy, teleph., telephone, telephone answering machine, telephone bank, telephone banking, telephone book, telephone booth

Words related to telephone

phone, dial, contact, ring, call, buzz

Example sentences from the Web for telephone

British Dictionary definitions for telephone

telephone
/ (ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊn) /

noun

  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
  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
See telephone box

verb

to call or talk to (a person) by telephone
to transmit (a recorded message, radio or television programme, or other information) by telephone, using special transmitting and receiving equipment
Often shortened to: phone

Derived forms of telephone

telephoner, noun telephonic (ˌtɛlɪˈfɒnɪk), adjective telephonically, adverb