telephonist

[ tuh-lef-uh-nist, tel-uh-foh- ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a telephone switchboard operator.

telephonist

/ tɪˈlɛfənɪst /

noun

1. a person who operates a telephone switchboard Also called (esp US)telephone operator

Word History and Origins

Origin of telephonist¹

First recorded in 1875–80; telephone + -ist

Example Sentences

Mr. Murphy, a retired valet, telephonist and unrepentant hoarder, owns a small house in Dublin’s north inner city, but his eyesight is failing and he cannot afford to pay for home care.

From New York Times

A group of telephonists are working in tightly packed rows of desks at a secret location in Kabul, taking calls from all around the country.

From BBC

The device pictured here was aimed at both telephonists and for home use, and was one of many models trialled that year.

From BBC

The 52-year-old has been blind since birth and had been comfortably in employment as a telephonist for West Mercia Police - then a common profession for blind people, but now superseded by technology.

From BBC

For 25 years she had worked as a telephonist for the GPO.

From The Guardian