[countable, uncountable] a system for talking to sb else over long distances, using wires or radio; a machine used for this电话◆Could you answer my telephone if it rings, please?如果电话铃响的话，请你帮我接一下好吗？◆I need to make a telephone call.我得打个电话。◆We negotiated the details over the/by telephone.我们在电话里商谈了细节。◆Business travellers no longer need to spend time on the telephone arranging their trips.商务旅行者再也不必花时间打电话安排行程了。 SYN phone ⨁a telephone company / carrier / operator电话公司／运营商 ⨁ a telephone line / network / system电话线路／网络／系统 ⨁ a telephone conference / conversation / interview / meeting / survey电话会议／交谈／采访／会议／调查 fixed telephone