landline

Beginner 💻 Tech / IT

Definition

A fixed telephone connection that operates through wired infrastructure (copper or fiber optic cables) rather than wireless signals, typically installed in homes or offices. The term distinguishes it from mobile or cellular phones.

Example Usage

My grandmother still has a landline because she doesn't trust mobile phones.

Origin

The term emerged in the late 20th century as mobile phones proliferated, with 'land' referring to the fixed ground-based network.

Fun Fact

By 2020, less than half of American households maintained a landline, marking a historic shift in communication technology.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Translate This Term

See “landline” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator