1tele·phone 
/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ noun
plural tele·phones /ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ noun 1 [noncount] : a system that uses wires and radio signals to send sounds (such as people's voices) over long distances : phone
▪ We spoke by telephone. ▪ a telephone line/company/operator ▪ I just have to make a quick telephone call before we leave. ▪ You can order the cake over the telephone. ▪ (Brit) He screamed at me down the telephone. [=through the telephone] 2 [count] : a device that is connected to a telephone system and that you use to listen or speak to someone who is somewhere else : phone
▪ The telephone has been ringing all morning! ▪ She picked up the telephone and dialed the number. ▪ He slammed/put down the telephone. ▪ They hired someone to answer the telephones. ▪ All our telephones are cordless. ▪ I left the telephone off the hook. ▪ a public telephone ▪ a cellular telephone [=cell phone]
▪ We spoke by telephone. ▪ a telephone line/company/operator ▪ I just have to make a quick telephone call before we leave. ▪ You can order the cake over the telephone. ▪ (Brit) He screamed at me down the telephone. [=through the telephone]
▪ The telephone has been ringing all morning! ▪ She picked up the telephone and dialed the number. ▪ He slammed/put down the telephone. ▪ They hired someone to answer the telephones. ▪ All our telephones are cordless. ▪ I left the telephone off the hook. ▪ a public telephone ▪ a cellular telephone [=cell phone]
on the telephone 1 : using a telephone to talk to someone
▪ She is always (talking) on the telephone. [=on the phone] ▪ He came to the door while I was on the telephone. 2 Brit : connected to a telephone system
▪ the percentage of households on the telephone [=on the phone]
▪ She is always (talking) on the telephone. [=on the phone] ▪ He came to the door while I was on the telephone.
▪ the percentage of households on the telephone [=on the phone]
