noun
- people whose job is to operate a telephone switchboard or provide telephone services
Usage: plural of telephonist; somewhat dated term
Examples
- The company employed several telephonists to handle incoming calls.
- Before automated systems, telephonists manually connected calls.
- The telephonists worked in shifts to provide 24-hour service.
- Many telephonists lost their jobs when digital phone systems were introduced.
- The hotel’s telephonists were trained to speak multiple languages.
- During the war, telephonists played a crucial role in communications.