Dial

/daɪl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A circular plate or scale marked to indicate a measurement or to show the setting of a device.

She turned the dial on the oven to preheat it to 350 degrees.

The face of a clock or watch showing the time.

He checked the dial and saw that he was running late.

A device in a telephone for selecting numbers by rotating or pressing.

He picked up the old rotary phone and began to dial the number.

verb

To operate a dial or device to input a number or setting.

Please dial the emergency number if you need help.

To make a call on a telephone by entering a number.

I will dial her phone number to see if she's home.

Middle English diale, from Latin dialis, meaning 'daily' or 'of a day'.

speed dial

A function on a telephone that allows users to call a specific number with a single press or turn.

dial in

To make a connection by telephone, especially to a conference call.

dial back

To reduce or decrease something.

telephone

A device that allows communication over distances using electrical signals.

gauge

An instrument for measuring or testing.

knob

A rounded handle on a door or drawer, often used to control devices.

To call someone on the phone.

I'll just dial up Sarah to see if she's coming.

To adjust something to a certain setting.

He dialed down the brightness of the screen.