Definition of: telephone

(tel′ə·fōn) noun
An instrument for reproducing sound or speech at a distant point, by the electromagnetic transmission of variable audio frequencies over a conducting wire or other communication channel.
—wireless telephone A radiotelephone.
—v. ·phoned, ·phon·ing
—v.t.
1. To send by telephone, as a message.
2. To communicate with by telephone.
—v.i.
3. To communicate by telephone. [<TELE- + -PHONE]
—tel′e·phon′er noun