speaking on the phone

a device that uses either a system of wires along which electrical signals are sent or a system of radio signals to make it possible for you to speak to someone in another place who has a similar device: Just then, his phone rang. Could you answer the phone? We speak on the/by phone about twice a week. You had three phone calls this morning. If the phone lines are busy, please try again later. Could you pick the phone up for me - my hands are wet. I left the phone off the hook, so it wouldn't ring. I was so angry I just put/slammed the phone down (on her) (= replaced it before our conversation was finished).