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telephone

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noun British English pronunciation: telephone /ˈtelɪˌfəʊn/ 
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singulartelephone
pluraltelephones
  1. [countable] Sound effect: telephone a piece of electronic equipment that you use for speaking to someone in a different place. A telephone is often simply called a phone

    They've got a telephone next to their bed.

    a mobile telephone

    a telephone rings:

    The telephone's been ringing all morning.

    pick up/answer the telephone:

    Pascoe picked up the telephone and said 'Hello'.

    use the telephone:

    May I use your telephone?

    1. a.
      [uncountable] the system of communicating using telephones

      The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.

      over the telephone:

      People are interviewed over the telephone.

      by telephone:

      I placed my order by telephone two weeks ago.

      Computers send information by telephone using a modem.

    2. b.
      [only before noun] relating to or involving the telephone

      a telephone line/dial/switchboard

      telephone communications/conversations/bookings

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