Definition

1. Noun:
   • A telephone that communicates by radio waves rather than along cables: A device that transmits and receives voice communications using radio frequency signals, eliminating the need for physical wire connections.
   • Telephony that uses transmission by radio rather than by wire: The system, technology, or practice of conducting telephone calls via radio waves.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Device):
  • The ship's captain used the radiotelephone to contact the coast guard.
  • Before cell phones, some cars were equipped with a radiotelephone for mobile communication.
• Noun (System/Technology):
  • Radiotelephone was a crucial advancement for aviation communication.
  • The company specializes in marine radiotelephone services.

Advanced Usage

• "radiotelephone call": A specific instance of communication made using this technology.
  • He placed a radiotelephone call to the mainland from the remote island.
• "radiotelephone operator": A person licensed to operate such equipment.
  • The radiotelephone operator relayed the distress signal.

Variants and Related Words

• Radiotelephony (n): The technology or practice of voice communication by radio. This is the formal term for the system itself.
  • He studied the principles of radiotelephony.
• Radiotelegraph (n): A related device for transmitting telegraphic signals via radio, not voice.
• Wireless telephone: An older, near-synonymous term for a radiotelephone.

Synonyms

• Wireless telephone: (Historical/contextual synonym)
• Mobile phone: (Modern, broader term; a cell phone is a specific, advanced type of radiotelephone system)
• Two-way radio: (Related, but often implies simpler push-to-talk voice communication without a telephone network interface)

Related Phrases

• "ship-to-shore radiotelephone": A specific application for communication between vessels and land stations.
  • They established contact via the ship-to-shore radiotelephone.
• "aeronautical radiotelephone": Used for air traffic control and communication between aircraft and ground stations.

Noun

1. a telephone that communicates by radio waves rather than along cables
2. telephony that uses transmission by radio rather than by wire