dial

1 of 3

noun

di·​al ˈdī(-ə)l 

1

: the face of a sundial

2

obsolete : timepiece

3

: the graduated face of a timepiece

4

a

: a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer

the thermometer dial reads 70°F

b

: a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine

a radio dial

a telephone dial

dial

2 of 3

verb

dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling

transitive verb

1

: to measure with a dial

2

a

: to manipulate a device (such as a dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select

dial your favorite program

dialed the wrong number

b

: call sense 1m(1)

dialed the office

intransitive verb

1

: to manipulate a dial

2

: to make a telephone call or connection

dial

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

dialect

2

dialectical

Synonyms

Verb

• call
• phone
• ring (up) [chiefly British]
• telephone

Examples of dial in a Sentence

Noun

the dial of a pressure gauge

I had to keep adjusting the radio dial to make the station come in clearly.

Verb

I'm sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number.

dialed 911 and asked for the police

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Photo : Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC In default GT drive mode, shifts are smooth and torque is limited, but twist the dial to Sport or Sport Plus and everything becomes more intense. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024

Chief among them is the dial, the proprietary algorithm that’s the first stop in evaluating a prior authorization. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

The landmark decision dialed back a years-long fight against inflation and offered relief for borrowers saddled with high costs. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Over the last two weeks, however, that temperature has been dialed back. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dyal, from Medieval Latin dialis clock wheel revolving daily, from Latin dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1653, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dial

• butt dial
• dial tone
• dial-up
• don't touch that dial
• speed dial

Kids Definition

dial

1 of 2 noun

di·​al ˈdī(-ə)l 

1

a

: sundial

b

: the face of a watch or clock

2

a

: a face or scale on which some measurement is registered usually by means of numbers and a pointer

the thermometer dial reads 60°

b

: a disk usually with a knob or slots that may be turned to make electrical connections (as on a telephone) or to regulate the operation of a device (as a radio)

dial

2 of 2 verb

dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling

1

: to turn a dial so as to operate, regulate, or select

2

: to make a telephone call or connection