Telephone vs. Microphone — What's the Difference?

A telephone is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into electronic signals that are transmitted via cables and other communication channels to another telephone which reproduces the sound to the receiving user.

A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a device – a transducer – that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and public events, motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, sound recording, two-way radios, megaphones, radio and television broadcasting.

An instrument for simultaneously transmitting and receiving speech or other sounds over a distance by converting the sounds into signals that are sent to a similar instrument and converting them back into sounds.

An instrument for converting sound waves into electrical energy variations which may then be amplified, transmitted, or recorded.

To make or try to make a telephone connection with; place a call to

An instrument that converts sound waves into an electric current, usually fed into an amplifier, a recorder, or a broadcast transmitter.

To dial (a telephone number).

A device (transducer) used to convert sound waves into a varying electric current; normally fed into an amplifier and either recorded or transmitted over radio.

To transmit (a message, for example) by telephone

(transitive) To put one or more microphones on or in.

To engage in communication by telephone

An instrument for converting sounds into electrical signals, for the purpose of recording or amplifying the sounds. It produces its effects in various ways, as for example by the changes of intensity in an electric current, occasioned by the variations in the contact resistance of conducting bodies, especially of imperfect conductors, under the action of acoustic vibrations. Other forms of microphone may use changes in capacitance or other phenomena to transduce the sounds into electrical signals.

A telecommunication device (originally mechanical, and now electronic) used for two-way talking with another person (now often shortened to phone).

Device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

The game of Chinese whispers.

Chinese whispers; a situation in which an initial message has been distorted and misunderstood by being passed from person to person.

(ambitransitive) To (attempt to) contact someone using a telephone.

(transitive) To convey (a message) via telephone.

An instrument for reproducing sounds, especially articulate speech, at a distance.

To convey or announce by telephone.

Electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds;

Transmitting speech at a distance

Get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone;