telephone

tel|e|phone¹ W2S1 [ˈtelıfəun US -foun] n

[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: tele- + Greek phone 'sound, voice']

1.) the telephone

the system of communication that you use to have a conversation with someone in another place

= ↑phone by telephone

▪ Reservations can be made by telephone.

on the telephone

▪ I've never met him, but I've spoken to him on the telephone.

over the telephone

▪ I read the names out to him over the telephone.

down the telephone BrE

▪ He shouted at me down the telephone.

▪ I had a long telephone conversation with her yesterday.

2.)

the piece of equipment that you use when you are talking to someone by telephone

= ↑phone

▪ The telephone rang just as I was leaving.

▪ She picked up the telephone and dialled a number.

▪ I said goodbye and put down the telephone .

3.) be on the telephone

a) to be talking to someone, using the telephone

▪ I was on the telephone when he came in.

b) to have a telephone in your home, office etc

see usage note ↑call¹

telephone ²

telephone² v [I and T]

BrE formal to talk to someone by telephone

= ↑phone, call ↑call

▪ Sammy telephoned to say that he would be late.

▪ I'll telephone you later.