phone1

[fohn] /foʊn/
noun, verb (used with object), verb (used without object), phoned, phoning.
1.
telephone.
Origin
1880-85; by shortening

phone2

[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.”.
Compare allophone, phoneme.
Origin
1865-70; < Greek phōnḗ voice
Related forms
phonal, adjective

-phone

1.
a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone).
Origin
see phone2
Examples from the web for phone
  • The longer the screen is lit, the more juice the phone uses.
  • The phone would begin searching for devices in the area.
  • Linger on the grounds to enjoy our new cell phone tour.
  • Millions of music tracks ready to play instantly, on your computer and your phone.
  • What a many-splendored experience it once was to talk on the phone.
  • Great for stashing your cell phone and seeds pockets, she suggests.
  • Apple expands it retail strategy onto the mobile phone.
  • In order to do that, you'll need to unlock the phone.
  • Your cell phone could be your link to personally tailored beauty products.
  • My first city job was trying to sell magazine subscriptions over the phone after school.
British Dictionary definitions for phone

phone1

/fəʊn/
noun, verb
1.
short for telephone

phone2

/fəʊn/
noun
1.
(phonetics) a single uncomplicated speech sound
Word Origin
C19: from Greek phōnē sound, voice

-phone

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
Derived Forms
-phonic, combining_form:in_adjective
Word Origin
from Greek phōnē voice, sound
Word Origin and History for phone
n.

1884, shortening of telephone (n.). Phone book first recorded 1925; phone booth 1927; phone bill 1901.

"elementary sound of a spoken language," 1866, from Greek phone (see fame (n.)).

v.

1884, from phone (n.). Related: Phoned; phoning.

-phone

word-forming element meaning "voice, sound," also "speaker of," from Greek phone "voice, sound," from PIE root *bha- (2) "to speak, say, tell" (cf. Latin for, fari "to speak," fama "talk, report;" see fame (n.)).

Slang definitions & phrases for phone

phone

Related Terms

flip phone, hold the phone