hot line

US: (hot′līn′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈhot ˌline, n. [countable]

1. Telecommunications, Government a direct telephone or other link that provides immediate communication between heads of state in crisis.
2. Telecommunications Also, ˈhotˌline. a telephone number providing direct access to a company, professional service, or agency, so as to get information, make a complaint, or receive counseling.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hot′ line′, 

1. Telecommunications, Government a direct telecommunications link, as a telephone line or Teletype circuit, enabling immediate communication between heads of state in an international crisis:
   the hot line between Washington and Moscow.
2. Telecommunications a telephone service enabling people to talk confidentially with someone about a personal problem or crisis.
3. Telecommunications a telephone line providing customers or clients with direct access to a company or professional service.
Also, hotline. 
• 1950–55

hot•line  (hot′līn′), n. 

1. See hot line. 

adj. 

2. [Chiefly Canadian.] of or pertaining to a radio program that receives telephone calls from listeners on the air.

• hot + line¹ 1950–55