Advertisement

View synonyms for

telephone

[ tel-uh-fohn ]

noun

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


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

/ ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊn; ˌtɛlɪˈfɒnɪk /

noun

    1. Also calledtelephone 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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈٱˌDzԱ, noun
  • ˌٱˈDzԾ, adverb
  • telephonic, adjective
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ٱ·Dze noun
  • ·ٱ·DzԱ adjective
  • ·ٱ·DzԱ verb retelephoned retelephoning
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of telephone1

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

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As she leaves the clinic she telephones her family.

From

He eventually reached out to the counselling service paid for by NICTS, but said the six telephone sessions were not enough.

From

Corruption inquiries led to reforms, and the Public Utilities Act in 1912 brought all transportation, water, electric, gas, telegraph and telephone service under the agency’s jurisdiction.

From

"If you're in an amazing world with castles and dragons, seeing a telephone pole removes you from that story".

From

The agency’s press office acknowledged in a string of posts on X that telephone wait times were too long and its website had faced challenges, but said the issues “predate the current Administration.”

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


éééܱtelephone answering machine