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View synonyms for

cell phone

or ·DzԱ

[ sel-fohn ]

noun

Telecommunications.
  1. a wireless telephone using a system of low-powered radio transmitters, with each transmitter covering a distinct geographical area cell, and computer equipment to switch a call from one area to another, thus enabling broad-scale portable phone service.
  2. such a wireless telephone that has other functions, as text messaging or internet access.


cell phone

  1. A portable telephone that uses wireless cellular technology to send and receive phone signals. This technology works by dividing the Earth into small regions called cells. Within each cell the wireless telephone signal goes over its assigned bandwidth to a cell tower, which relays the signal to a telephone switching network, connecting the user to the desired party.
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Notes

The proximity to a cell tower is often the key to good reception when using a cell phone.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cell phone1

First recorded in 1980–85; cell(ular) ( def ) + phone 1( def )
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Compare Meanings

How does cell phone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He warns against cell phone use, both because of the light it emits and the distraction it causes.

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Think about any subscriptions or recurring expenses you could pause or cancel, reconsider upcoming trips and shop around for cheaper providers of insurance, cell phones, internet, electricity or other utilities.

From

This decision is one of the best things about “Holland,” which brims with recently retro production design in Windows desktop computers, early cell phones and pagers, tapes rented from video stores and high-rise dad jeans.

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Few terrorists would likely be caught by searching cell phones, but lots of private data could be taken without need, only by desire.

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She was using the bathroom — two stalls away from the suspect — when she saw a hand reaching under the stall and aiming a cell phone camera at her backside.

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