payphone - Definition & Meaning

a telephone in a public place that one needs to pay for, mostly by prepaid cardsa telephone in a public place that one needs to pay for, mostly by prepaid cards

A payphone is a public telephone that requires the user to pay in order to make a call. Typically, users insert coins, tokens, or a prepaid card into the machine to cover the cost of the call. Payphones were commonly found in public spaces such as streets, airports, bus stations, and shopping centers, providing an option for communication when people were away from their personal phones. While their use has declined with the widespread availability of mobile phones, payphones are still available in some places, especially in emergencies or locations with limited mobile coverage.A payphone is a public telephone that requires the user to pay in order to make a call. Typically, users insert coins, tokens, or a prepaid card into the machine to cover the cost of the call. Payphones were commonly found in public spaces such as streets, airports, bus stations, and shopping centers, providing an option for communication when people were away from their personal phones. While their use has declined with the widespread availability of mobile phones, payphones are still available in some places, especially in emergencies or locations with limited mobile coverage.

例句

He searched for a payphone to call for help after his car broke down on the highway.
在高速公路上汽车抛锚后，他寻找公用电话求助。
The hotel lobby still had a functional payphone for guests who didn't have cell phones.
酒店大堂仍然有一部功能正常的公用电话，供没有手机的客人使用。
She dug through her purse for change to use the payphone to inform her parents of her late arrival.
她翻遍钱包找零钱，想用公用电话通知父母她会晚到。