Phone/fəʊn/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Modern Communication The term 'phone' often refers to smartphones, the prevalent communication tool today. Can you install this app on your phone? Pro Tip 2/3Varied Uses Phones serve multiple purposes: calling, texting, browsing the web, and more. I use my phone to take photos. Pro Tip 3/3Casual Reference 'Phone' is more casually used than 'telephone', which sounds more formal or outdated. Let's video chat on our phones tonight.