dial

¹

[ dahy-uhl, dahyl ]

noun

1. a plate, disk, face, or other surface containing markings or figures upon which the time of day is indicated by hands, pointers, or shadows, as of a clock or sundial.
2. a plate or disk with markings or figures for indicating or registering some measurement or number, as of pressure, number of revolutions, the frequency to which a radio is tuned, etc., usually by means of a pointer.
3. a rotatable plate, disk, or knob used for regulating a mechanism, making and breaking electrical connections, etc., as in tuning a radio or television station in or out.
4. Also called ro·ta·ry di·al [roh, -t, uh, -ree dahy-, uh, l, dahyl]. a rotatable plate or disk on a telephone, fitted with finger holes that are marked with letters or numbers, used in making calls through an automatic switchboard.
5. any mechanism on the face of a telephone by which the caller places a call, as push buttons.
6. Also called min·er's di·al [mahy, -nerz dahy-, uh, l, dahyl]. Mining. a compass used for underground surveying.

verb (used with object)

, di·aled, di·al·ing or (especially British) di·alled, di·al·ling.

1. to enter or input (a number) on a telephone, as by means of a touchscreen, push buttons, or a rotary dial:

   I dialed your work number by mistake.

2. to make a telephone call to:

   You can dial the Telehealth hotline for advice from a nurse.

3. to regulate, select, or tune in by means of a dial, as on a radio:

   She reached over to dial an FM station.

4. to indicate or register on or as if on a dial.
5. to measure with or as if with a dial.

verb (used without object)

, di·aled, di·al·ing or (especially British) di·alled, di·al·ling.

1. to enter or input a number on a telephone, as by means of a touchscreen, push buttons, or a rotary dial:

   I keep dialing, but she's not picking up.

2. to use a dial to regulate or make a selection:

   Dial through the program settings on the washer to find the one that suits your load.

adjective

1. (of a telephone) having a rotary dial mechanism.

verb phrase

1. 1. to obtain, reach, or contact by telephone:

      Now's your chance to dial up Chicago and do some business.

   2. to access a computer, the internet, or another network by dialing a telephone number.
   3. to increase the level of; intensify:

      I used cayenne, garlic, oregano, thyme, and pepper to dial up the flavor.

2. to reduce the level of; diminish:

   Such open threats of military action make it more difficult to dial down tensions.

dial.

²

abbreviation for

1. dialect.
2. dialectal.
3. dialectic.
4. dialectical.

dial

¹

/ daɪl; ˈdaɪəl /

noun

1. the face of a watch, clock, chronometer, sundial, etc, marked with divisions representing units of time
2. the circular graduated disc of various measuring instruments
3. 1. the control on a radio or television set used to change the station or channel
   2. the panel on a radio on which the frequency, wavelength, or station is indicated by means of a pointer
4. a numbered disc on a telephone that is rotated a set distance for each digit of a number being called
5. a miner's compass for surveying in a mine
6. a slang word for face

verb

1. to establish or try to establish a telephone connection with (a subscriber or his number) by operating the dial on a telephone
2. tr to indicate, measure, or operate with a dial

dial.

²

abbreviation for

1. dialect(al)

Derived Forms

• ˈdialler, noun

Other Words From

• un·di·aled adjective
• un·di·alled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dial¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English dial, diel,dyal “instrument for telling time by the sun's shadow,” from Old French dyal, from Medieval Latin diālis “daily” ( Latin di(ēs) ) “day” + -ālis adjective suffix; -al ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dial¹

C14: from Medieval Latin diālis daily, from Latin diēs day

Example Sentences

Elections always bring twists and turns, soundbites from candidates who come to regret them and sometimes, a moment that truly shifts the dial.

From BBC

Chadha, who grew up in Southall, west London, also warned that the industry would "never move the dial" if investors did not back a more diverse range of films.

From BBC

NHS England says recognising any one of these signs in yourself or others and dialling 999 urgently is crucial to getting prompt, specialist treatment.

From BBC

"We were hoping for something that felt like we were changing the dial on the radio station with every song," says Baby Daddy.

From BBC

Over the last two weeks, however, that temperature has been dialed back.

From Los Angeles Times