landline
noun
land·line
ˈland-ˌlīn 
variants
or less commonly land line
1
: a line of transportation or communication on land
especially
: a telephone line that transmits signals from one station to another directly along a wire without the use of radio waves
It reminds me of the tipping point several years ago when people realized they no longer needed a telephone landline and would do just fine with their cell phones. —
Rana Foroohar
—often used before another noun Rana Foroohar a landline phone
a landline network
2
: a telephone that connects by wire : a landline telephone
Of course, if you're really worried, you could ditch your cell phone for a quaint landline.—Kiera Butler
Kiera ButlerExamples of landline in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The city is using voice over internet protocol instead of landlines, greatly reducing costs.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
For some younger consumers — Gen Zers, who didn’t grow up with landlines and stereos — plug-in phones and vinyl records must also carry some novel charm.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Following a group of preteens that form a baby-sitting business in their quiet suburb, the series is sweet and deeply relevant to the kids who are watching (even if the sitters still use a landline for the nostalgia).
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2025
On Wednesday, July 2, the journalist and TV personality, 60, shared a snap of her daughter Haley, 9, on Instagram using a landline phone.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for landline
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
For some younger consumers — Gen Zers, who didn’t grow up with landlines and stereos — plug-in phones and vinyl records must also carry some novel charm.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Following a group of preteens that form a baby-sitting business in their quiet suburb, the series is sweet and deeply relevant to the kids who are watching (even if the sitters still use a landline for the nostalgia).
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2025
On Wednesday, July 2, the journalist and TV personality, 60, shared a snap of her daughter Haley, 9, on Instagram using a landline phone.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for landline
Cite this Entry
“Landline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landline. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
landline
noun
land·line
-ˌ(d)līn
: a line of communication (as by telephone) consisting of a cable laid on land
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share