English · Word Candidate

telephone

/ˈtɛlɪfəʊn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: telephones · telephoning · telephoned

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A telecommunication device which converts data or sounds (usually speech) into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance; now usually a device having a dial or keypad with numerals for entering a number, etc., to connect with a person, and means (such as a sound or vibration) for alerting one to an incoming call or tra

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

thiết bị truyền thông chuyển đổi dữ liệu hoặc âm thanh thành tín hiệu điện

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

The telephones so constructed were placed in different rooms. […] Upon singing into the telephone, the tones of the voice were reproduced by the instrument in the distant room. When two persons sang simultaneously into the instrument, two notes were emitted simultaneously by the telephone in the oth

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A means of communicating information from one person to another or others.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

phương tiện truyền thông tin

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

In the terminology associated with this phenomenon, Jach Pursel is known as a "channel"—a vehicle through which "entities" from other planes of existence choose to address human beings. In a more familiar metaphor, Jach is the telephone through which Lazaris places his long distance calls: very long

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To convey (information, a message, news, etc.) using a telephone (noun sense 1).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

truyền đạt thông tin qua điện thoại

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

David telephoned his apologies to his mother. On the way we had had our first puncture, and had taken some time to change the wheel, as we were unable to find the jack.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To (attempt to) contact (someone) using a telephone.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

liên hệ với ai đó qua điện thoại

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

The length ganger saw the train passing with the van derailed and promptly telephoned the Sandbach signalman, who restored his signals to danger, but not in time to stop the train before the final derailment occurred.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “telephone” mean?

Is “telephone” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.