handset

hand·set

H0046300 (hănd′sĕt′)n. The handle-shaped part of a telephone, containing the receiver and transmitter and often a dial or push buttons.

handset

(ˈhændˌsɛt) n (Telecommunications) a telephone mouthpiece and earpiece mounted so that they can be held simultaneously to mouth and ear

hand•set

(n. ˈhændˌsɛt; adj. -ˈsɛt, -ˌsɛt)
n. 1. a telephone having a mouthpiece and earpiece mounted at opposite ends of a handle. adj. 2. (of type) set by hand. [1915–20]

Thesaurus

Noun

handset - telephone set with the mouthpiece and earpiece mounted on a single handleFrench telephonehandgrip, handle, grip, hold - the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"phone, telephone, telephone set - electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds; "I talked to him on the telephone"

Translations

Telefonhörercombinémicrotelefono

handset

[′hand‚set] (design engineering) A combination of a telephone-type receiver and transmitter, designed for holding in one hand.

handset

(1) A portable, wireless phone. See cellphone, smartphone and cordless phone.

(2) The part of a desk telephone that is held to the ear and mouth. It contains the speaker (receiver) and microphone (transmitter). Contrast with headset.

I've Been Talking on a What?

Many people are not familiar with the term "handset." However, when contrasted to a "headset," it makes sense.

Only the Speaker

The handsets in some early phones contained only the speaker, such as this Blake wall phone at the turn of the 20th century. The microphone was in the base unit. (Image courtesy of Nortel Networks.)

handset

hand·set

handset

hand•set

handset

handset

handset

handset

Synonyms for handset

noun telephone set with the mouthpiece and earpiece mounted on a single handle

Synonyms

Related Words