public telephone
Coin-operated caller
A public telephone is a payphone—a coin-operated or card-operated telephone installed in a public location for general use.
Once common on street corners, in hotel lobbies, and at transit stations, public telephones have largely disappeared with the rise of mobile phones: I had to find a public telephone to call for help.
Public telephone enclosure
- coin-operatedActivated by inserted currency
- TTYText-based telephone terminal
- accessible designCreation usable by everyone
- handsetHeld telephone component
receiver · directory · operator · collect call · local call · long-distance · touch-tone · dialtone
Circular phone input
- coin slotPayment insertion point
- collect callCall billed to recipient
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- busy signalTelephonic rejection sound
Superman · film noir · wrong number · pocket change · hanging up · waiting in line
Adjacent to pavement
- sidewalkPaved pedestrian pathway
- train stationPassenger boarding facility for locomotives
- airportAviation passenger facility
- bus terminalTransit departure point
subway · shopping mall · hotel lobby · hospital · convenience store · gas station · pedestrian · kiosk
Crisis response number
- SOSMorse distress code
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- emergency servicesUrgent public safety organizations
- hotlineDirect emergency phone connection
rescue · helpline · crisis line · ambulance · fire department · police · operator · first responders
Impossible to follow back
- unregisteredNot formally recorded
- disposableMade for one use
- prepaidSettled in advance
- incognitoWith identity concealed
privacy · cash payment · anonymous tip · witness protection · informant · undercover · dead drop · crime drama
callbox
Public telephone enclosure
- coin-operatedActivated by inserted currency
- TTYText-based telephone terminal
- accessible designCreation usable by everyone
handset · receiver · directory · operator · collect call · local call · long-distance · touch-tone · dialtone · ringing
rotary dial
Circular phone input
- coin slotPayment insertion point
- collect callCall billed to recipient
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
busy signal · Superman · film noir · wrong number · pocket change · hanging up · waiting in line
streetside
Adjacent to pavement
- sidewalkPaved pedestrian pathway
- train stationPassenger boarding facility for locomotives
- airportAviation passenger facility
bus terminal · subway · shopping mall · hotel lobby · hospital · convenience store · gas station · pedestrian · kiosk · vandalism
911
Crisis response number
- SOSMorse distress code
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- emergency servicesUrgent public safety organizations
hotline · rescue · helpline · crisis line · ambulance · fire department · police · operator · first responders · lifeline
untraceable
Impossible to follow back
- unregisteredNot formally recorded
- disposableMade for one use
- prepaidSettled in advance
incognito · privacy · cash payment · anonymous tip · witness protection · informant · undercover · dead drop · crime drama
public telephonehome phone
Residential wired telephone
office phone · extension · landline · business phone · unlisted number
public telephonemobile phone
Portable wireless telephone
cell phone · cellular phone · smartphone · cordless phone · portable phone
public, phone, telephone, phoned, cell phone, megaphone, smartphone, telephones, phoning