landline

noun

land·​line ˈland-ˌlīn 

variants or less commonly land line

1

: a line of transportation or communication on land

especially : a telephone line that transmits signals from one station to another directly along a wire without the use of radio waves

It reminds me of the tipping point several years ago when people realized they no longer needed a telephone landline and would do just fine with their cell phones.

—Rana Foroohar

—often used before another noun

a landline phone

a landline network

2

: a telephone that connects by wire : a landline telephone

Of course, if you're really worried, you could ditch your cell phone for a quaint landline.

—Kiera Butler

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In the era of landlines, a PR/TT meant getting a record of all the incoming and outgoing calls from a phone. —Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 1 May 2023

The poll of 600 Biden voters and 600 Trump voters, taken by landline and cell phone April 15-18, underscores the uncertainties. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2023

For example, our data shows a decline in traditional landline subscribers but an appetite for more fiber. —Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Jan. 2023

Officials from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) confirmed search efforts were ongoing, and that the affected area has no power, landline service or cell service. —John Woolley, CBS News, 14 July 2022

Inside the kitchen, the landline phone was missing, and the shelves were nearly bare. —Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 9 May 2023

The poll was conducted by The Post and George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government between Feb. 17 and 27 among a random sample of 1,668 Washington-area residents reached on cellphones and landlines. —Emily Guskin, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2023

Alabama lawmakers are considering a bill to add a monthly surcharge of 98 cents to cellphone and landline bills to raise about $70 million a year to expand care for people suffering from mental health crises, including those at risk of suicide. —Mike Cason | [e-mail], al, 26 Jan. 2023

The survey was conducted by landline telephone, cell phone, over the Web and in interviews, with 2,093 surveys were completed. —Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

landline

noun

land·​line -ˌ(d)līn 

: a line of communication (as by telephone) consisting of a cable laid on land