telephone

noun, often attributive

tele·phone | \ˈte-lə-ˌfōn

Definition of telephone

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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)

telephone

verb

telephoned; telephoning

Definition of telephone (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to speak to or attempt to reach by telephone

2 : to send by telephone

intransitive verb

: to communicate by telephone

Other Words from telephone Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about telephone

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for telephone

Synonyms: Verb

call, dial, phone

Examples of telephone in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

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 on the Web: Noun

The most effective recruitment method has not been the placement of traditional fliers tacked to a telephone pole, but rather the lab’s Instagram page. — Rebecca Robbins, STAT, "A daredevil researcher’s latest quest: to restore sight lost to glaucoma using virtual reality," 2 July 2018 According to the complaint, telephone records also show Paige's phone was near Popeyes at the time of the drug buy with Couillard. — Jane Ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "West Allis man get 6 years in prison for selling heroin that killed 20-year-old," 11 July 2018 Shoplifting 5500 State Road 810 in Coconut Creek, June 13, 10:40 a.m. An arrest took place at Walmart after someone attempted to take four AT&T telephones valued at a total of $139.52 and other miscellaneous items. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Coral Springs, Coconut Creek area crime reports," 27 June 2018 Oxford Police Chief Joey East told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that investigators long suspected Dunn and Austin had dropped Bratton and then put him back in bed without telling anyone, leaving him to die of his injuries. — Jeff Amy, Fox News, "2 ex-workers charged in World War II veteran's 2017 death," 10 July 2018 Oxford Police Chief Joey East told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that investigators long suspected Dunn and Austin had dropped Bratton and then put him back in bed without telling anyone, leaving him to die of his injuries. — Jeff Amy, The Seattle Times, "2 ex-workers charged in World War II veteran’s 2017 death," 10 July 2018 Iturra, the psychologist, said in a telephone interview that although no one can prepare for the surprise of being stranded, methods can be used to reduce the stress of waiting for rescue. — Chris Kraul And Jorge Poblete, Anchorage Daily News, "Once trapped themselves, Chilean miners have some advice for Thai boys stuck in cave," 7 July 2018 Some might even call it old-fashioned, as the island's only hotel, the White House Hotel, has no televisions, telephones, or even clocks. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Car-Free Destinations for Your Next Island Vacation," 1 June 2018 For more information contact Daniel Suson, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences at daniel.suson@pnw.edu or via telephone at 219-989-2375. — Douglas Clark, Post-Tribune, "Guest column: Summer camps abound at Purdue University Northwest," 31 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.