telephones

word · lemma: telephone

Definition

Devices used to talk to people over long distances by transmitting voice electronically. It can refer to both traditional landlines and mobile phones.

Usage & Nuances

More formal or technical than 'phones.' Used for the physical devices, not for phone calls or the act of calling. Rare to use in informal speech; 'phones' is more common in daily conversation.

Example Sentences

Old telephones had dials instead of buttons.

basic

There are several telephones in our office building.

basic

Public telephones are hard to find these days.

natural

All the telephones were ringing at once when the power came back.

natural

Modern telephones can connect to the internet.

basic

She collects old telephones as a hobby.

natural