phone 1 (fōn) n. A telephone. v. phoned, phon·ing, phones v.tr. 1. a. To make or try to make a telephone connection with; place a call to. b. To dial (a specific number): Phone 411 for directory assistance. 2. To impart (information or news, for example) by telephone. v.intr. To telephone. Idiom: phone it in To do something in a perfunctory way or …