Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Telephone /tĕl'-əf-ōnˌ/ · Tel·e·phone · IPA /ˈtɛɫ.əˌfoʊn/ n. v. t. 01 n. An instrument for reproducing sounds, especially articulate speech, at a distance. 1. An instrument for reproducing sounds, especially articulate speech, at a distance.(Physics) 02 v. t. To convey or announce by telephone. 1. To convey or announce by telephone.