telephone

noun, often attributive tele·phone \ ˈte-lə-ˌfōn \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Definition of telephone

: an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance; specifically : one in which sound is converted into electrical impulses for transmission (as by wire or radio waves)

See telephone defined for English-language learners

See telephone defined for kids

Examples of telephone in a Sentence

I just have to make a quick telephone call before we leave.
You can order the cake over the telephone.
The telephone has been ringing all morning!
She picked up the telephone and dialed the number.
He slammed down the telephone.
They hired someone to answer the telephones.
All our telephones are cordless.
I left the telephone off the hook.

Recent Examples of telephone from the Web

Recovering from the intestinal flu in Jewish Hospital on the night of Jan. 14, 1993, the University of Louisville’s head basketball coach relayed his instructions by telephone to the Cardinals bench.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Clifford Rozier's death is a sad reminder of what might have been," 7 July 2018
Reached by telephone, Mr. Cornish declined to comment.

— alexander osipovich, WSJ, "New York Stock Exchange Executive to Join Winklevoss Bitcoin Firm," 6 July 2018
The two men subsequently spoke by telephone in what both termed a cordial and respectful conversation.

— patrick j. mcdonnell, latimes.com, "Mexico's Lopez Obrador taps longtime loyalist as nominee for top diplomat and invites Trump to inauguration," 6 July 2018
The technology funding proposal includes $11.3 million to replace staff computers and buy new laptops for teachers and another $8.6 million to replace 7,000 telephone sets and fund other phone system upgrades.

— kristi nix, Houston Chronicle, "Fort Bend ISD officials propose $178 million technology package for not-yet-approved school bond election," 13 July 2018
The tribe said Grand Canyon Caverns, a hotel on the way to the Havasupai trailhead, is providing breakfast to evacuees and the use of showers and telephones.

— dawn gilbertson, azcentral, "Flash flood closes Havasupai falls," 12 July 2018
That’s a far more lopsided margin than in the January telephone poll in which 50 percent of Republican leaners disapproved.

— emily guskin, Washington Post, "Trump is battling Mueller investigation to a draw in court of public opinion," 12 July 2018
Though never formally charged with any crime herself, she was prevented by security agents from leaving their apartment in Beijing and allowed only limited access to telephone or internet services.

— The Economist, "China frees the widow of a Nobel peace-prize winner," 11 July 2018
There was no trade, no embassies, not even telephone service between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "After years of unrest, Ethiopia enters new era of openness," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telephone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of telephone

1832

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Telecommunications Terms

Ethernet, intercept

telephone

verb

Definition of telephone

telephoned; telephoning

transitive verb

1 : to speak to or attempt to reach by telephone

2 : to send by telephone

intransitive verb

: to communicate by telephone

—

telephoner

noun

See telephone defined for English-language learners

Examples of telephone in a Sentence

He telephoned me to say that he was going to be late.
He telephoned to say that he was going to be late.
You never write or telephone.

Recent Examples of telephone from the Web

In the Montgomery County incident, police said a faculty member told police that a threat had been telephoned to the middle school.

— peter hermann, Washington Post, "Local Digest: Man dies after Memorial Day crash," 7 June 2018
In December, Putin telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump to thank him for what the Kremlin described as a CIA tip that prevented the bombings in St. Petersburg.

— vladimir isachenkov, Fox News, "World Cup security Putin's top priority but threats loom," 4 June 2018
In December, Putin telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump to thank him for what the Kremlin described as a CIA tip that prevented the bombings in St. Petersburg.

— Washington Post, "World Cup security Putin’s top priority but threats loom," 4 June 2018
Jake Maggio summoned the police, while Andrew telephoned for the Charity Hospital ambulance.

— james karst, NOLA.com, "'A peculiar turn' in the Axeman investigation of 1918," 13 May 2018
At another point in the clip, a six-year-old Salvadorian girl pleads through tears for someone to telephone her aunt, according to ProPublica.

— monica rodriguez, Fortune, "Audio Reveals Border Agent Joking About Crying Immigrant Children," 18 June 2018
Later, when Doris—looking youthful after a series of plastic surgeries—was dating much younger jazz musician Joe Castro, Barbara telephoned him.

— stephanie mansfield, Town & Country, "Inside the World's Richest Rivalry: Doris Duke and Barbara Hutton," 26 Apr. 2017
Richard telephoned several more times that February, Iseler said.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "He abandoned his family 25 years ago. Now Richard Hoagland owes them $2 million," 29 May 2018
El Nuevo Herald tried unsuccessfully to telephone the police station in Viñales, where Ruiz Urquiola has been held since last week.

— nora gámez torres, miamiherald, "Cuban scientist sentenced to one year in prison for 'disrespecting' government authority | Miami Herald," 9 May 2018

First Known Use of telephone

1877

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

telephone Synonyms

Synonyms

call, dial, phone;

Related Words

beep, buzz;

call in;

cold-call;

Other Telecommunications Terms

Ethernet, intercept

TELEPHONE Defined for English Language Learners

telephone

noun

Definition of telephone for English Language Learners

: a system that uses wires and radio signals to send sounds (such as people's voices) over long distances
: a device that is connected to a telephone system and that you use to listen or speak to someone who is somewhere else

telephone

verb

Definition of telephone for English Language Learners

: to speak or try to speak to (someone) using a telephone : to call or phone (someone)

TELEPHONE Defined for Kids

telephone

noun tele·phone \ ˈte-lə-ˌfōn \

Definition of telephone for Students

: a device for transmitting and receiving sounds over long distances

telephone

verb

Definition of telephone for Students

telephoned; telephoning

: to speak to by telephone

Learn More about telephone

See words that rhyme with telephone Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for telephone Spanish Central: Translation of telephone Nglish: Translation of telephone for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of telephone for Arabic speakers

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telephone

Definition of telephone

Examples of telephone in a Sentence

Recent Examples of telephone from the Web

First Known Use of telephone

Other Telecommunications Terms

telephone

Definition of telephone

telephoner

Examples of telephone in a Sentence

Recent Examples of telephone from the Web

First Known Use of telephone

telephone Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Telecommunications Terms

Phrases Related to TELEPHONE

Related Phrases

TELEPHONE Defined for English Language Learners

telephone

Definition of telephone for English Language Learners

telephone

Definition of telephone for English Language Learners

TELEPHONE Defined for Kids

telephone

Definition of telephone for Students

telephone

Definition of telephone for Students

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