telephone
telephone
/ˈtelɪfəʊn/
(rather formal)
(also phone)
1 countable, uncountable a system for talking to somebody else over long distances, using wires or radio; a machine used for this The telephone rang and Pat answered it.
I need to make a telephone call.
over the telephone
You can reserve seats over the telephone.
by telephone
Can I get in touch by telephone?
on the telephone
They talk on the telephone much more often than they meet.
She spoke by telephone to the French President.
a telephone conversation/interview
telephone lines/services
Collocations
adjective
verb + telephone
use
be on
have…
telephone + verb
telephone + noun
preposition
by telephone
on the telephone
over the telephone…
2 countable the part of the phone that you hold in your hand and speak into I picked up the telephone and called some people I knew.
She put down the telephone and burst into tears.
I've been trying to phone him all day—he must have left his telephone off the hook.
Idioms
telephone
/ˈtelɪfəʊn/
(especially British English, formal)
(also phone especially in British English)
(also call British and North American English)
to speak to somebody by phone
Please write or telephone for details.
He telephoned to say he'd be late.
telephone somebody/something I was about to telephone the police.
You can telephone your order 24 hours a day.
telephone (somebody/something) on/at something For tickets telephone the box office on 4121211.