handset
- a telephone mouthpiece and receiver in a single hand-held unit; also, such a unit containing a dial or push buttons
- a hand-held cell phone
handset
noun
The handle-shaped part of a telephone, containing the receiver and transmitter and often a dial or push buttons.
handset
Noun
(plural handsets)
- The part of a telephone containing both receiver and transmitter (sometimes dial), held in the hand.
handset - Computer Definition
(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.)
