telephone

1. N-UNCOUNT The telephone is the electrical system of communication that you use to talk directly to someone else in a different place. You use the telephone by dialling a number on a piece of equipment and speaking into it. 电话

It's easier to reach her by telephone than by mail or email. 打电话比写信或发电子邮件更容易联系上她。

I hate to think what our telephone bill is going to be. 我不愿去想我们的电话费将会是多少。

2. N-COUNT A telephone is the piece of equipment that you use when you talk to someone by telephone. 电话机

He got up and answered the telephone. 他站起来接了电话。

3. V-T/V-I If you telephone someone, you dial their telephone number and speak to them by telephone. 打电话给 (某人); 打电话

I felt so badly I had to telephone Owen to say I was sorry. 我感到很糟糕，必须给欧文打电话道个歉。

They usually telephone first to see if she's home. 他们通常先打电话看她是否在家。

4. PHRASE If you are on the telephone, you are speaking to someone by telephone. 在通话中

Linda remained on the telephone to the police for three hours. 琳达和警察通了3个小时的电话。