Dictionary

telephone en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• [ˈteɫəˌfɐʉn] (New-Zealand)
• [ˈteɫəˌfəʉn] (Australia)
• /ˈtɛlɪfon/ (Scotland)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ (General-American)
• [ˈtɛɫ-] (General-American)
• /ˈtɛlɪfoːn/ (Wales) without the toe–tow merger
• /ˈtɛlɪfəʊn/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from tele- (prefix meaning ‘from a distance’) + -phone (suffix denoting a device which makes a sound), modelled after German Telephon (“early apparatus converting sound into electrical signals”) (dated) (now German Telefon). The word was first used to refer to the modern device in 1876 by the Scottish-born Canadian-American engineer Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922). The prefix tele- is ultimately derived from Ancient Greek τῆλε (têle, “afar, far away, far off”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁- (“to turn end-over-end; to revolve around; hence, to dwell, sojourn”). The suffix -phone is ultimately from Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ, “sound; voice”), and Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (“to say; to speak”). Noun sense 4.4 (“system of communication using musical notes”) is borrowed from French téléphone (“kind of megaphone; system of communication using musical notes”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Meanings

1. (countable) A telecommunication device which converts data or sounds (usually speech) into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance; now usually a device having a dial or keypad with numerals for entering a number, etc., to connect with a person, and means (such as a sound or vibration) for alerting one to an incoming call or transmission; also, the handset or receiver of such a device.
   • The telephones so constructed were placed in different rooms. […] Upon singing into the telephone, the tones of the voice were reproduced by the instrument in the distant room. When two persons sang simultaneously into the instrument, two notes were emitted simultaneously by the telephone in the other house. […] I placed the membrane of the telephone near my mouth, and uttered the sentence, "Do you understand what I say?" Presently an answer was returned through the instrument in my hand. Articular words proceeded from the clock-spring attached to the membrane, and I heard the sentence, "Yes; I understand you perfectly." 1876 May 10 (date delivered), A[lexander] Graham Bell, “Researches in Telephony”, in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, volume IV (New Series; volume XII overall), Boston, Mass.: Press of John Wilson and Son, published 1877, →ISSN, →OCLC, pages 7–8:
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, archaic, countable, qualifier:later in India) Short for telephone call (“a connection established over a telephone network; a conversation held by the parties on this connection”).
   alt of telephone call
3. (countable, figuratively) A means of communicating information from one person to another or others.
   • In the terminology associated with this phenomenon, Jach Pursel is known as a "channel"—a vehicle through which "entities" from other planes of existence choose to address human beings. In a more familiar metaphor, Jach is the telephone through which Lazaris places his long distance calls: very long distance calls. 1990, Earl Babbie, “Channels to Elsewhere”, in Thomas Robbins, Dick Anthony, editors, In Gods We Trust: New Patterns of Religious Pluralism in America, New Brunswick, N.J.; London: Transaction Publishers, →ISBN, part IV (Spiritual Innovation and the New Age), page 256:
4. (countable, historical, uncountable) Now chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: a simple communication device which converts sounds (usually speech) into mechanical vibrations along a string, wire, etc.
   • The days are behind us (I recall) when children played with makeshift telephones made from jam tins connected by string; […] 2013, John Keane, “Communicative Abundance”, in Democracy and Media Decadence, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, pages 5–6:
   • string telephone    tin can telephone
   • If a string of packthread be attached to the stem of a tuning fork, and the other end of the thread be wrapt round the little finger, and placed in the chamber of the ear, the sound of the fork, when made to vibrate, will be heard at the end of the thread, though two hundred yards distant, while it is altogether imperceptible to a bystander. It has been suggested, that telegraphs, or, more properly speaking, telephones, might be invented upon this principle. The author states that some such instruments have been already perfected, and are about to be exhibited, but we have as yet heard nothing of them. 1832 August, “Art. II.—The Music of Nature; or An Attempt to Prove that what is Passionate and Pleasing in the Art of Singing, Speaking, and Performing upon Musical Instruments, is Derived from the Sounds of the Animated World. With Curious and Interesting Illustrations. By William Gardener. 8vo. pp. 530. London: Longman and Co. 1832. [book review]”, in The Monthly Review, volumes II (New and Improved Series), number IV, London: G. Henderson, […], →OCLC, page 496:
5. (archaic, countable, historical, uncountable) A type of foghorn used for sending signals in the form of loud tones or musical notes, especially one invented in the 19th century by John Taylor, a captain in the British Royal Navy.
   • It is not easy to say from these passages (which are all we could find on the subject) what plan [Edward] Davy had in contemplation. In the first quotation he speaks of bells, for which we may read a powerful trumpet at one end, and a concave reflector to focus the sound at the other end; or some arrangement like the compressed-air telephone, proposed by Captain Taylor, R.N., in 1844; […] 1899, J[ohn] J[oseph] Fahie, “First Period—The Possible”, in A History of Wireless Telegraphy 1838–1899: Including Some Bare-wire Proposals for Subaqueous Telegraphs, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, page 7:
6. (archaic, countable, historical, uncountable) A communication device consisting of two aligned gutta-percha speaking tubes connected to parabolic reflectors which allows speech spoken into one tube to be sent through the air to the other one, invented in the 19th century by the British engineer Francis Whishaw (1804–1856); also, a speaking tube of such a device.
   • While on the subject of gutta-percha, a few words may very well be given to Mr. Whishaw's inventions: among these are speaking-tubes, to supersede bells in private houses or offices. So extraordinary are the conducting powers of this new product, that a whisper may can be conveyed to long distances; […] [W]e are, it seems, to be able to speak to a distance without any connecting tube at all; across the inner quadrangle of a building, for instance, by means of large concave gutta-percha reflectors, fixed, one opposite to the other, […] [E]ach reflector would be mounted on a stand similar to that of a theodolite; and thus the portable telephone would be available where the telegraph, as at present arranged, does not admit of application. 1849 June 30, “Gossip from London”, in William and Robert Chambers, editors, Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal, volume XI, number 287 (New Series), Edinburgh: William and Robert Chambers; London: W[illiam] S[omerville] Orr, →OCLC, page 408, column 1:
7. (archaic, countable, historical, uncountable) A system of communication using musical notes, also known as Solresol, invented in 1828 by the French composer Jean-François Sudre (1787–1862).
   • We extract from the France Musicale a few curious particulars relative to the invention of a kind of marine telegraph, called the "Telephone," invented by an ingenious Frenchman, Monsieur Sudre, and by which orders may be transmitted at night, when other means of communication fail. […] A commission […] verified by experiment the rapidity with which all naval commands could be communicated at night through the medium of a clarion, to a distance which may be increased to 2200 toises (about two miles) but which varies according to the state of the atmosphere. […] [T]he return of the same sounds guarantied to M. Sudre the perfect comprehension of his orders, and the Admiral congratulated him on his success. 1841 December, “[Miscellaneous.] Musical Telegraph.”, in The American Repertory of Arts, Sciences, and Manufactures, volume IV, number 5, New York, N.Y.: W. A. Cox, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 375:
8. (Canada, US, uncountable) Synonym of Chinese whispers (“a game for several players in which a phrase, whispered by each person in turn to their neighbour, is often unwittingly misunderstood as it is transferred, to humorous effect by the time it reaches the last person and is compared with the original phrase; (figurative) a situation where something is changed or misunderstood as a result of passing through successive people or processes”).
   • And since the spring of 1995, no game of telephone has ended without some Simpsons-loving smart-ass dropping "purple monkey dishwasher" into the chain. 2013 October 27, Erik Adams, “The Simpsons (Classic): ‘The PTA Disbands’”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 16 Oct 2025:
   • [T]he assistant dean of students, having intervened to clear the way for Jones’ return to class, told Jones that [Tina] Chanter had told him that someone had told her that Jones had told someone something that made them think Jones wanted to blow up the philosophy building. […] [B]oth she [Azadeh Erfani] and Jones now wonder whether, in some transmutational chain of retellings among other students, or perhaps even as the word of this hallucination reached Chanter's ears, Jones' vision of puffing away a wall of weak atomic links had morphed into a scarier vision of her blowing a building to pieces with a bomb. […] In other words, [Nev] Jones' career and life may have been derailed because a game of telephone went bad. 2017 October 3, David Dobbs, “The Touch of Madness”, in Pacific Standard, number 59, Santa Barbara, Calif.: Miller-McCune Center for Research, Media and Public Policy, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 23 Aug 2025:

Forms

Deriveds

telephonophile · telephone jack · Tucker telephone · telephone shower · telephone exchange · white-telephone · telephone scatologia · telephone ring · untelephoned · telephone sex · telephonable · telephone pole · telephone tag · telephone typewriter · telephonic · telephonology · talk to God on the big white telephone · telephone conference · telephone operator · telephonitis · telephone directory · telephonist · telco · on the telephone · thermotelephone · EPR telephone · telephony · phone · telephone card · talk to Ralph on the big white telephone · telephone desk · telephone box · white telephone · telephone number · telephonophobia · premium-rate telephone number · telephone alphabet · telephonelike · telephone call · plain old telephone service · telephone line · post office telephone system · telephone kiosk · telephoneless · telephone-bell · telephone booth · telephonophobic · telephone book · Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen telephone · Everett-Wheeler telephone · telephone answering machine · broken telephone · telephone game · telemarketing · antitelephone · pretelephone · telephone girl · telethon · big white telephone · telephonicate

Hyponyms

monotelephone · candlestick telephone · mobile telephone · radiotelephone · French telephone · answerphone · pantelephone · cellular telephone · radio telephone · radio-telephone · smart telephone · courtesy telephone · daffodil telephone · public telephone · portable telephone · tin can telephone · field telephone · magnetotelephone · pedestal telephone · cordless telephone · satellite telephone · videotelephone · pillar telephone

Synonyms

horn · horn · telephone · phone · pipe · dog and bone · Ameche · blower · dog and bone · phone · pipe · blower · Chinese whispers · Ameche

Translations (270)

yur 'o chweeegeen (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · is sími (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ja 電話 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fur telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fo telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vo telefonöm (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · et telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bo ཁ་པར (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · akz maanaaɬihilka (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · haw kelepona (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pa ਟੈਲੀਫ਼ੋਨ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ga guthán (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hi टेलिफोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ur ہاتِف (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · br pellgomz (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · el τηλέφωνο (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · scn tilèfunu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · om bilbila (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · te ఫోను (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tt телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · scn talèfunu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kn ಗೆಂಟುಮಾತು (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · zu ucingo (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ur فون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · acw تِلِفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kmr dûrdeng (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ms telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · id telepon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · wuu 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · es teléfono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sco telephone (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ve luṱingo (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nah mekatlanonotski (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn ᠳ᠋ᠢᠶᠠᠩᠬᠤᠸᠠ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · khb ᦶᦎᧃᧈᦧᦱᧈ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi kanava (means of communicating information from one person to another or others) · scn telèfunu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · coo sqʷay (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · prs فون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mr दूरध्वनी (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tk telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ary تلفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ro telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · rm telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi säveltapailu (system of communication using musical notes) · ti ስልኪ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · crk ᐊᔭᒫᑲᐣ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · az telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · de Fon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pap telefón (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ti ተለፎን (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tao dingwa (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · af telefoon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hu telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · de Telephon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gd fòn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · chy aseéestsestôtse (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nrf téléphône (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · he טֶלֶפוֹן (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ar هَاتِف (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mi whoounu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · aii ܚܘܼܛܵܡܲܠܵܠܵܐ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sd ڏُور وايو (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · izh telefona (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · th โทรศัพท์ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · asb masʾápabi (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn дянхуа (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · iu uqaalaut (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · xjb gulgun biral (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lv telefons (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ne टेलिफोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bua телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hi फ़ोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gu દૂરભાષ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ar تِلِفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · srn teilefown (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ko 전화 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fr téléphone (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mfe telefonn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · uk телефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · chr ᏗᎵᏃᎮᏗ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ta ஃபோன் (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cy ffôn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · la tēlephōnium (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pdc Faernschwetzer (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ml ടെലിഫോൺ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · wa telefone (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pa ਫ਼ੋਨ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gl teléfono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ml ദൂരശ്രാവി (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · dtp telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn ᠤᠲᠠᠰᠤ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sh телѐфо̄н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · my တယ်လီဖုန်း (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · si දුරකථනය (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pih foen (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · akz naaɬiikapalki (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nl telefoon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nv béésh bee haneʼé (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi puhelin (communication device consisting of two aligned gutta-percha speaking tubes) · unm sëkahsën (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kxd talipun (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ta டெலிஃபோன் (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sw simu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tpi telipon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · am ቴሌፎን (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mg telefaonina (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · yi טעלעפֿאָן (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lv tālrunis (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · uli dengwa (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · am ስልክ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · arz تليفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mk телефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sh telèfōn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mt telefown (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sk telefón (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ps تيلفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mi waeakōrero (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ur دور گو (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi puhelin (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fa-ira تِلِفُن (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · as টেলিফোন (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ckb تهلهفۆن (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · si බණුව (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · km តេឡេហ្វូន (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vls telefoeng (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sa दूरवाणी (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kn ದೂರವಾಣಿ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mi waea (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · xh umnxeba (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · dng телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vi phôn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · co telefonu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gu ટેલિફોન (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ru телефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ba телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cy teleffon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pt telefone (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tr telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ce телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nb telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tr alısün (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sv telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi puhelin (simple communication device which converts sounds into mechanical vibrations along a string, wire, etc.) · ca telèfon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ug تېلېفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · crh telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · te టెలీఫోను (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ary تليفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ab ателефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · eo telefono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ff talifon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · za denva (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · dng дянхуа (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ceb telepono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hi टेलीफ़ोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mi terewhōno (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nl beltoestel (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pqm mattoktihikon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cjy 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lt telefonas (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vls teelefoeng (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · te దూరవాణి (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ga teileafón (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hi फोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hi दूरभाष (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cs telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gu દૂરબોલ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hak 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sa दूरभाषा (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tl telepono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tl hatinig (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · qu karu rimay (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · rsk телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ota تلفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vo telefonaparat (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bn টেলিফোন (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · se telefovdna (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mr फोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · km ទូរស័ព្ទ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ota دور شنید (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi sumutorvi (type of foghorn used for sending signals in the form of loud tones or musical notes) · cdo 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · my စကားပြောကြေးနန်း (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · id telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · it telefono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sm telefoni (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hu távbeszélő (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vi dây nói (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn утас (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bo ཞལ་པར (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · crj ᑖᐦᑳᐱᐦᒉᓂᑲᓐ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sn runhare (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · az تلفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · chr ᎠᎾᎦᎵᏍᎩ ᎠᏏᎳᏛ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kl oqarasuaat (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cv телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nah huehcacaquiztli (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · shn တႄႇလီႇၾူၼ်း (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ff 𞤼𞤢𞤤𞤭𞤬𞤮𞤲 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · cmn 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · srn konkrutitei (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · rue телефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bg телефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ht telefòn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nn telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · or ଟେଲିଫୋନ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pl telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lo ໂທລະສັບ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kix nyūthī (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tay renwa' (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · uz telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gd cian-fhuaim (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fy tillefoan (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lkt omásʼapȟe (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · oj giigidowin (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gv çhellvane (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ln ebengeli (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ckt вэтгавъёԓгын (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · eu telefono (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mr टेलीफोन (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ky телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ka ტელეფონი (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lo ໂທຣະສັບ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · tg телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · aii ܬܸܠܸܦ̮ܘܿܢ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mn ᠲ᠋ᠧᠯᠧᠹᠣᠨ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · hy հեռախոս (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · yue 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kmr telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · crk ᓭᐁᐧᐱᒋᑲᐣ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · nan-hbl 電話 /电话 (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · da telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mi terepōno (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · paw rarácawakataku (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sah телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sl telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pdt Tellefoon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pcc dianqhuaq (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · wa tèlèfone (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · mt telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · gmw-cfr Fäänshpräscho (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fi puhelin (means of communicating information from one person to another or others) · my ဖုန်း (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ur ٹیلی فون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · pam teleponu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · be тэлефо́н (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bn ফোন (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · lo ເຕເລໂຟນ (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ga fón (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · prs تیلِفون (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · oc telefòn (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · kk телефон (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ast teléfonu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ty niuniu paraparau (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · io telefonilo (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · la tēlephōnum (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · de Telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · bn দূরভাষা (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · fy telefoan (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · de Fernsprecher (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · esu qanercuun (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sq telefon (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · ta தொலைபேசி (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · sc telèfonu (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · srn gengen (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · xal утцн (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · vi điện thoại (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance) · akz masnaaɬiilka (telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance)

wikidata: Q11035 · wikidata: Q863640 · wikidata: Q36764 · wikipedia: Alexander Graham Bell

telephone en · VERB

Pronunciation

• [ˈteɫəˌfɐʉn] (New-Zealand)
• [ˈteɫəˌfəʉn] (Australia)
• /ˈtɛlɪfon/ (Scotland)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ (General-American)
• [ˈtɛɫ-] (General-American)
• /ˈtɛlɪfoːn/ (Wales) without the toe–tow merger
• /ˈtɛlɪfəʊn/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from tele- (prefix meaning ‘from a distance’) + -phone (suffix denoting a device which makes a sound), modelled after German Telephon (“early apparatus converting sound into electrical signals”) (dated) (now German Telefon). The word was first used to refer to the modern device in 1876 by the Scottish-born Canadian-American engineer Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922). The prefix tele- is ultimately derived from Ancient Greek τῆλε (têle, “afar, far away, far off”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁- (“to turn end-over-end; to revolve around; hence, to dwell, sojourn”). The suffix -phone is ultimately from Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ, “sound; voice”), and Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (“to say; to speak”). Noun sense 4.4 (“system of communication using musical notes”) is borrowed from French téléphone (“kind of megaphone; system of communication using musical notes”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To convey (information, a message, news, etc.) using a telephone (noun sense 1).
   • David telephoned his apologies to his mother. On the way we had had our first puncture, and had taken some time to change the wheel, as we were unable to find the jack. 1926, Robert Byron, chapter V, in Europe in the Looking-glass: Reflections of a Motor Drive from Grimsby to Athens, London: George Routledge & Sons […], →OCLC, part 1, page 31:
   • He telephoned what he knew to his chief, the information such as to cause the smug complacency of that gentlemen in his henchman's prowess to vanish from his expression, […] 1961, Xavier Herbert, Soldiers’ Women, Sydney, N.S.W.: Angus and Robertson, →OCLC, page 395:
2. (transitive) To (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone.
   • The length ganger saw the train passing with the van derailed and promptly telephoned the Sandbach signalman, who restored his signals to danger, but not in time to stop the train before the final derailment occurred. 1961 November, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Holmes Chapel”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 652:
3. (obsolete, transitive) To provide (a place) with a telephone system.
   • The London County Council prepared careful estimates for telephoning London in 1898, and those estimates were submitted to Parliament. It contended that it could provide a telephone service for the County Council area of London at £38 per subscriber capital outlay, after setting aside the necessary funds for the debt charge and after paying the Post Office the 10 per cent. royalty. 1901 December 14, J. Williams Benn, “The Telephone Deal”, in The Speaker: The Liberal Review, volume V (New Series), number 115, London; Paris: Cassell and Co., […], →OCLC, page 296, column 1:
4. (obsolete, transitive) To transmit (sounds) over a distance.
   • Do you hear the chemical accents of the sun? / Do you telephone the roar of the waters over the earth? 1923, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, “[Trees] Bare Almond-trees”, in Birds, Beasts and Flowers: Poems, London: Martin Secker […], →OCLC, stanza 3, page 44:
5. (intransitive) To (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone; to make a telephone call.
   • Having completed their task, Fireman Page telephoned from a lineside box to the next signal cabin, briefly reported the incident and said that, as no high explosive had dropped and the track was safe, they proposed proceeding "at caution". 1944 July–August, “Top Link Drivers: XXI—Driver H. Blunt, L.N.E.R.”, in The Railway Magazine, London: Tothill Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 226:
   • I came down like a wolf on the fold, didn't I? Why didn't I telephone? Strategy, my dear boy, strategy. This is a surprise attack, and I'd no wish that the garrison, forewarned, should escape. 1913, Robert Barr, “The Mad Miss Maturin”, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad, London; Melbourne, Vic.; Toronto, Ont.: Ward, Lock & Co., →OCLC, page 139:
   • The only chance we had was to telephone to the manager of the hotel in Calgary to send two bottles of Scotch without fail by the next train leaving Calgary for the west. 1971, Martin Nordegg, “Convincing a European Expert”, in T. D. Regehr, editor, The Possibilities of Canada are Truly Great: Memoirs 1906–1924, Toronto, Ont.: Macmillan of Canada, →OCLC, page 89:

Forms

Deriveds

phone · telephoning · telephonable · retelephone · telephoner · telephoned

Hypernyms

communicate

Meronyms

dial

Synonyms

ring up · ring · call · drop someone a line · dial up · ring · ring up · give someone a buzz · phone · call up · call · give someone a jingle · give someone a call · call up · get on the horn · give someone a bell · drop a line · give someone a tinkle · phone · give someone a ring · telephone

Translations (140)

lo ຕີເຕເລໂຟນ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · he צילצל \ צִלְצֵל ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · eo alvoki ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ur ملانا ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · id menelepon ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · be тэлефанава́ць ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uz telefon qilmoq ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · srn naki wan gengen ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sq telefonoj ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · tg телефон кардан ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · hu telefonál ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · bg оба́ждам се ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · nl telefoneren ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ug تېلېفون بەرمەك ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uk телефонува́ти ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sh телефони́рати ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mk телефони́ра ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · bg оба́дя се ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fi välittää puhelimitse ((transitive) to convey (information, a message, news, etc.) using a telephone) · pl dzwonić ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ko 전화를 걸다 ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · hy զանգահարել ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mt ċempel ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · rm telefonar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sl telefonirati ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sk zatelefonovať ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sv ringa ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · eo telefoni ((transitive) to convey (information, a message, news, etc.) using a telephone) · pt telefonar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ms menelefon ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sh nazvati na telefon ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fi soittaa (puhelimella) ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ko 전화하다 ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · tr telefonlamak ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ja 電話をかける ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · pl telefonować ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uk дзвони́ти ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi điện thoại ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi gọi điện thoại ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · srn kari ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uk подзвони́ти ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mk ѕвони ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · es llamar por teléfono ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · tr telefon etmek ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mi waea ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ky шыңгыратуу ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · srn naki wan konkrutitei ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · yi טעלעפֿאָנירן ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ro a telefona ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · crh telefon etmek ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mi rīngi ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · nl bellen ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fa تلفن کردن ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sw piga simu ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · cmn 打電話 /打电话 ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · kk телефон соғу ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ru позвони́ть по телефо́ну ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fa دورواژیدن ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vo telefonön ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sk zavolať ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sk volať ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fa تلفن زدن ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uz qoʻngʻiroq qilmoq ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · km និយាយទូរសព្ទ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · bg телефони́рам ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · lv piezvanīt ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ar تَلْفَنَ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ca trucar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · cs zatelefonovat ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · et helistama ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ps تېلېفون کول ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · be пазвані́ць ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · hy զանգել ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · be звані́ць ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · cs telefonovat ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · cs volat ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ms memanggil ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ca cridar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ru звони́ть ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fr téléphoner ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · es telefonear ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · az zəng vurmaq ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sh назвати на телефон ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · be патэлефанава́ць ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ur فون کرنا ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · hy հեռաձայնել ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · is hringja ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · bo ཁ་དཔར་གཏོང་བ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · gl telefonar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mk заѕвони ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · gd fòn ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · io telefonar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · eo telefoni ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · kmr telefon kirin ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ca telefonar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · el τηλεφωνώ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · hi फ़ोन करना ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi phôn ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · pl zadzwonić ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · el καλώ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sk telefonovať ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi gọi điện ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · th โทร ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · kk қоңырау шалу ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · id memanggil ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · srn bèl ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · my ဖုန်းဆက် ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ka დარეკვა ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · tr aramak ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ar هَاتَفَ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · nb ringe ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · da telefonere ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi điện ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · pl zatelefonować ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · bn টেলিফোন করা ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · lt skambinti ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ja 電話する ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · br pellgomz ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · cs zavolat ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · de anrufen ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · uk зателефонува́ти ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · pt ligar ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · vi kêu điện thoại ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · is hringja í ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · nl opbellen ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · th โทรศัพท์ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fr appeler ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · de telefonieren ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · ru телефони́ровать ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · da ringe ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · lv zvanīt ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · az zəng etmək ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · fa زنگ زدن ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · it telefonare ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sh telefonírati ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · lv telefonēt ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · mn утасдах ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · chr ᎦᎸᏛᏂᎭ ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · sv telefonera ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone) · lt telefonuoti ((transitive) to (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone; (intransitive) to (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone)

wikipedia: Alexander Graham Bell