1.  telephone(n = noun.artifact) phone, telephone set - electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds; "I talked to him on the telephone"
is a kind of electronic equipment
is a part of phone system, telephone system
has parts: mouthpiece, receiver, telephone receiver
has particulars: desk phone, dial phone, dial telephone, extension, extension phone, telephone extension, french telephone, handset, pay-phone, pay-station, radiophone, radiotelephone, wireless telephone, speakerphone
Derived form verb telephone₁

2.  telephone(n = noun.communication) telephony - transmitting speech at a distance;
is a kind of telecom, telecommunication
has particulars: voice mail, voicemail, call, phone call, telephone call, call forwarding, call waiting
Derived form verb telephone₁

   telephone(v = verb.communication) call, call up, phone, ring - get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone; "I tried to call you all night"; "Take two aspirin and call me in the morning"
is one way to telecommunicate
Derived forms noun telephone₁, noun telephone₂, noun telephoner₁
Sample sentences: Sam cannot telephone Sue ; They telephone

   An instrument for reproducing sounds, especially articulate speech, at a distance. [1913 Webster]
" The ordinary telephone consists essentially of a device by which currents of electricity, produced by sounds through the agency of certain mechanical devices and exactly corresponding in duration and intensity to the vibrations of the air which attend them, are transmitted to a distant station, and there, acting on suitable mechanism, reproduce similar sounds by repeating the vibrations. The necessary variations in the electrical currents are usually produced by means of a microphone attached to a thin diaphragm upon which the voice acts, and are intensified by means of an induction coil. In the magnetic telephone, or magneto-telephone, the diaphragm is of soft iron placed close to the pole of a magnet upon which is wound a coil of fine wire, and its vibrations produce corresponding vibrable currents in the wire by induction. The mechanical, or string, telephone is a device in which the voice or sound causes vibrations in a thin diaphragm, which are directly transmitted along a wire or string connecting it to a similar diaphragm at the remote station, thus reproducing the sound. It does not employ electricity." [1913 Webster]

   To convey or announce by telephone. [1913 Webster]

telephone, n. & v.
--n.
1 an apparatus for transmitting sound (esp. speech) to a distance by wire or cord or radio, esp. by converting acoustic vibrations to electrical signals.
2 a transmitting and receiving instrument used in this.
3 a system of communication using a network of telephones.
--v.
1 tr. speak to (a person) by telephone.
2 tr. send (a message) by telephone.
3 intr. make a telephone call.

Idiom:
on the telephone 1 having a telephone.
2 by use of or using the telephone. over the telephone by use of or using the telephone. telephone book = telephone directory. telephone box Brit. = telephone booth. telephone booth (or kiosk) a public booth or enclosure from which telephone calls can be made. telephone call = CALL n. 4. telephone directory a book listing telephone subscribers and numbers in a particular area. telephone exchange = EXCHANGE n. 3. telephone number a number assigned to a particular telephone and used in making connections to it. telephone operator esp. US an operator in a telephone exchange.

Derivative:
telephoner n. telephonic adj. telephonically adv.

N  hearing, audition, auscultation, eavesdropping, audibility, acute ear, nice ear, delicate ear, quick ear, sharp ear, correct ear, musical ear, ear for music, ear, auricle, lug, acoustic organs, auditory apparatus, eardrum, tympanum, tympanic membrane, ear trumpet, speaking trumpet, hearing aid, stethoscope, earshot, hearing distance, hearing, hearing range, sound, carrying distance, telephone, phone, telephone booth, intercom, house phone, radiotelephone, radiophone, wireless, wireless telephone, mobile telephone, car radio, police radio, two-way radio, walkie-talkie, handie-talkie, citizen's band, CB, amateur radio, ham radio, short-wave radio, police band, ship-to-shore radio, airplane radio, control tower communication, (communication), electronic devices, phonograph, gramophone, megaphone, phonorganon, microphone, directional microphone, mike, hand mike, lapel microphone, phonograph needle, stylus, diamond stylus, pickup, reading head (electronic devices), hearer, auditor, listener, eavesdropper, listener-in, auditory, audience, otology, otorhinolaryngology, otologist, otorhinolaryngologist, hearing, auditory, auricular, acoustic, phonic, arrectis auribus, Int, hark, hark ye!, hear!, list, listen!, O yes!, Oyez!, listen up, listen here!, hear ye!, attention!, achtung.

VB  tell, inform, inform of, acquaint, acquaint with, impart, impart to, make acquaintance with, apprise, advise, enlighten, awaken, transmit, let fall, mention, express, intimate, represent, communicate, make known, publish, notify, signify, specify, convey the knowledge of, let one know, have one to know, give one to understand, give notice, set before, lay before, put before, point out, put into one's head, put one in possession of, instruct, direct the attention to, announce, annunciate, report, report progress, bringword, send word, leave word, write word, telegraph, telephone, wire, retail, render an account, give an account, state, let slip, blurt out, spill the beans, unburden oneself of, let off one's chest, disclose, show cause, explain, hint, given an inkling of, give a hint, drop a hint, throw out a hint, insinuate, allude to, make allusion to, glance at, tip the wink, suggest, prompt, give the cue, breathe, whisper, whisper in the ear, give a bit of one's mind, tell one plainly, tell once for all, speak volumes, undeceive, unbeguile, set right, correct, open the eyes of, disabuse, disillusion one of, be informed of, know, learn, get scent of, get wind of, gather from, awaken to, open one's eyes to, become alive, become awake to, hear, overhear, understand, come to one's ears, come to one's knowledge, reach one's ears.

N  messenger, envoy, emissary, legate, nuncio, internuncio, ambassador, marshal, flag bearer, herald, crier, trumpeter, bellman, pursuivant, parlementaire, apparitor, courier, runner, dak, estafette, Mercury, Iris, Ariel, commissionaire, errand boy, chore boy, newsboy, mail, overnight mail, express mail, next-day delivery, post, post office, letter bag, delivery service, United Parcel Service, UPS, Federal Express, Fedex, telegraph, telephone, cable, wire (electronic information transmission), carrier pigeon, (news) 532 reporter, gentleman of the press, representative of the press, penny-a-liner, special correspondent, own correspondent, spy, scout, informer.

cellular telephone, dial telephone, french telephone, telephone bell, telephone bill, telephone book, telephone booth, telephone box, telephone call, telephone circuit, telephone company, telephone conversation, telephone cord, telephone dial, telephone directory, telephone exchange, telephone extension, telephone interview, telephone jack, telephone kiosk, telephone line, telephone message, telephone number, telephone operator, telephone order, telephone plug, telephone pole, telephone receiver, telephone service, telephone set, telephone system, telephone unit, telephone wire, wireless telephone