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

The Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175 comes loaded with six patents, 20 complications, five chiming modes, two reversible dials, and a movement made up of 1,366 parts. —Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024

The brand offers a host of customization options, including up to 10 different ornamental stone dials, and the meteorite dial, up to five different colors for the leather strap, a case in either white or rose gold, and the option for either the new dauphine-style hands or the original batons. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

But as the city dialed back its resources for migrants, Beck was left to catch those who fell through the gaps — both newcomers and the unhoused. —Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024

Oil prices stuck at $80 per barrel over the last year, and flagging overseas investment, have blown a $32 billion hole in the kingdom’s budget and led to spending on mega projects like the futuristic city of Neom reportedly being dialed back. —Iain Martin, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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