Telephone Meaning
Telephone Definition & Usage
A device used for voice communication over long distances.
Examples
- "I need to make a call; can I use your telephone?"
- "The telephone rang just as we were leaving."
- "She forgot her telephone at home, so she couldn't call anyone."
- "His telephone line was disconnected after he missed too many bills."
- "In the past, the telephone was considered a revolutionary invention."
The action or process of making a call using a telephone.
Examples
- "I'll telephone you when I get there."
- "He telephoned his mother to tell her the news."
- "She said she would telephone the office if she was late."
- "I tried to telephone him last night, but the line was busy."
- "We need to telephone the restaurant to confirm the reservation."
To make a telephone call.
Examples
- "I’ll telephone you once I’ve finished the meeting."
- "Please telephone the emergency services if there's a fire."
- "She telephoned the hotel to ask about the room availability."
- "I always forget to telephone my friends on their birthdays."
- "He telephoned his colleague to check if she was coming to the event."
Cultural Context
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 and quickly became one of the most transformative technologies in human history. It revolutionized communication, enabling people to converse over long distances in real-time. Today, the telephone has evolved into the smartphone, which includes not just voice communication but a wide variety of features, including text, video, and internet access.
The Call That Changed Everything
Story
The Call That Changed Everything
It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon when Olivia sat at her desk, staring at the old telephone. The rotary dialer, an antique from her grandmother’s house, had been sitting there for months. She hadn’t used it since she moved in, preferring the convenience of her mobile phone. Yet, today was different. Today, she had to make the call. Her fingers hesitated over the cold metal receiver. It had been years since she’d dialed a number on such an old device, and the thought of using it made her nervous. 'What if it doesn’t work?' she wondered. 'What if I dial the wrong number?' But the answer couldn’t wait. She had to talk to her father. Olivia lifted the receiver and placed it against her ear. There was a soft hum, followed by the familiar click of the line connecting. She slowly began to turn the dial, one digit at a time, the sound of each click bringing her closer to the conversation that would change everything. As the call connected, her father’s voice on the other end sounded faint but familiar. 'Hello?' he asked, sounding more puzzled than concerned. 'Hi, Dad. It’s Olivia.' She cleared her throat. 'I’ve been thinking a lot lately… about everything. About us.' There was a long pause. The telephone line crackled, but Olivia could still hear him clearly. 'What’s going on, Olivia?' her father asked. They spoke for nearly an hour, catching up on life, sharing their worries, and rediscovering the bond they once had. It was a call they both needed but had avoided for years. As Olivia placed the receiver back on the hook, she felt lighter. She hadn’t expected this old telephone, a relic of the past, to carry such a heavy conversation. It was just a device, after all. But in that moment, it was a lifeline. The rain had stopped by the time she walked away from the desk, but she couldn’t help but feel that something significant had changed. Sometimes, the simplest things—like a telephone call—could alter the course of your life. The old phone, once a symbol of outdated technology, had become a symbol of connection and reconciliation. As Olivia glanced back, she thought, 'Maybe it’s time to get a new phone. But I’ll never forget this one.'
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