phone

¹ American  

[fohn] / foʊn /

noun

1. telephone.

2. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.

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verb (used with object)

phoned, phoning

1. to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.

2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

phoned, phoning

1. to send a message by telephone.

phone ² American  

[fohn] / foʊn /

noun

Phonetics.

1. a speech sound.

   There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”

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-phone ³ American  

1. a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone ), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone ), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone ).

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-phone ¹ British  

combining form

1. (forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound

   microphone

   telephone

2. (forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular language

   Francophone

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phone ² British  

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

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phone ³ British  

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

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Other Word Forms

• -phonic combining form
• phonal adjective

Etymology

Origin of phone¹

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of phone²

First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice

Origin of -phone³

see origin at phone ²

Example Sentences

"Sandy's made lots of phone calls because we were told he was found at the farm over yonder," he continued.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“Software is probably the bargain; semiconductors are the momentum,” said Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist and a portfolio manager at Hightower Advisors, in a phone interview.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Raicek keeps a picture of the sliver of a bedroom where she spent her early recovery on her phone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

No more making excuses to look at your phone and ignore others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

“The best operators have a way of making a phone call feel like home.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial