handset

American  

[hand-set, hand-set, -set] / ˈhændˌsɛt, ˈhændˈsɛt, -ˌsɛt /

noun

1. Also called French telephone.  a telephone having a mouthpiece and earpiece mounted at opposite ends of a handle.

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verb (used with object)

handset, handsetting

1. to set (type) by hand.

adjective

1. (of type) set by hand.

2. (of a publication) printed directly from type set by hand.

handset British  

/ ˈhændˌsɛt /

noun

1. a telephone mouthpiece and earpiece mounted so that they can be held simultaneously to mouth and ear

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Etymology

Origin of handset

First recorded in 1915–20; hand + set

Example Sentences

Qualcomm said its second-quarter forecast includes the impact of a shortage of memory supply and “related pricing on demand from several handset customers.”

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Qualcomm’s shares dropped 11% due to weak guidance for the March quarter, attributed to rising memory prices affecting its handset segment.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

The company’s handset segment saw revenue of $6.9 billion, which came in higher than expectations for $6.6 billion, while automotive revenue was $1.05 billion, slightly ahead of the $1 billion analyst estimate.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025

O2 told its customers they had 30 days to leave their contracts without any termination charges - though if their plan included a handset, they would still have to pay that off in full.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

Her mom paced back and forth, punching redial on the handset, muttering under her breath, how could you forget your only daughter’s birthday?

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline