dial
Noun:
- A disc on a telephone: A rotating disc on a telephone, used to input a telephone number by turning it a fixed distance for each digit.
- A graduated indicator: The circular, marked indicator on measuring instruments like a pressure gauge, voltmeter, or radio.
- A tuning control: The knob or control on a radio, television, or other device used for selecting a frequency or channel.
- The face of a timepiece: The front part of a clock or watch, marked with numbers or symbols to show the time.
Verb:
- To choose by means of a dial: To select a number, frequency, or setting by turning a dial.
- To operate a telephone dial: To input a telephone number by using a rotary dial or, by extension, a keypad.
Noun:
- The old telephone had a rotary dial with finger holes for each number.
- Turn the dial on the radio to find a clear station.
- The pressure dial showed the tank was nearly full.
- The watch has a luminous dial that glows in the dark.
Verb:
- Please dial 911 in an emergency.
- He carefully dialed the combination on the safe.
- You must lift the receiver before you dial.
"Dial in" (phrasal verb): To adjust or fine-tune something precisely; to achieve a perfect setting or connection.
- The mechanic dialed in the engine for maximum performance.
- It took a moment to dial in to the video conference.
"Dial down" (phrasal verb): To reduce the intensity, volume, or level of something.
- He was asked to dial down his aggressive tone during the negotiation.
"Dial up" (phrasal verb): To increase the intensity, volume, or level; also refers to connecting to the internet via a dial-up modem.
- Let's dial up the excitement for the final game.
- In the 1990s, you had to dial up to get online.
Dial tone (n): The continuous sound heard from a telephone receiver indicating the line is ready for a number to be dialed.
- I picked up the phone and heard the dial tone.
Dial plate (n): Another term for the face of a measuring instrument or clock.
- Sun dial (n): A device that tells time by the position of a shadow cast by the sun.
- Noun: Face, gauge, indicator, knob.
- Verb: Call, phone, ring (up), tune, select.
Dial back: Similar to "dial down," meaning to reduce.
- The company had to dial back its expansion plans.
Dial into: To connect to a meeting or broadcast, often remotely.
- Hundreds of employees dialed into the webinar.
"Watch the dial": To monitor a gauge or indicator closely.
- When the engine overheats, you need to watch the dial.
"Set the dial to...": Figuratively, to focus on or prioritize a particular thing.
- For this quarter, we need to set the dial to customer satisfaction.
- a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called
- the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments
- the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning
- the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
- choose by means of a dial
- dial a telephone number
- operate a dial to select a telephone number
- You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial