telephone

[ˈtɛləfəʊn]

telephone Definition

• 1. a system for transmitting voices over a distance using wire or radio, by converting acoustic vibrations to electrical signals
• 2. an instrument used for transmitting and receiving telephone messages

Using telephone: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "telephone" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I'll give you a call on the telephone later.

• Example

  The telephone rang loudly in the middle of the night.

• Example

  She answered the telephone and spoke to her friend for an hour.

• Example

  He picked up the telephone and dialed the number.

telephone Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for telephone

• phone
• landline
• mobile
• cellphone

Phrases with telephone

• hang up the telephone

  to end a phone call by putting the receiver back on its base

  Example

  She hung up the telephone without saying goodbye.

• on the telephone

  speaking to someone on the phone

  Example

  I was on the telephone with my boss for an hour.

• telephone tag

  a situation where two people keep missing each other's phone calls and are unable to speak directly

  Example

  We've been playing telephone tag all day, but I still haven't been able to talk to him.

Origins of telephone

from Greek 'tele-' meaning 'far' + 'phone' meaning 'sound'

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Summary: telephone in Brief

A 'telephone' [ˈtɛləfəʊn] is a device that transmits sound over a distance using electrical signals. It can refer to the system or the instrument itself. Examples include 'I'll give you a call on the telephone later.' and 'He picked up the telephone and dialed the number.' Phrases like 'hang up the telephone' and 'on the telephone' are common, as well as the idiom 'telephone tag,' which describes a situation where two people keep missing each other's phone calls.