semaphore

[ sem-uh-fawr, -fohr ]

noun

1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.
2. any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.
3. a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.

verb (used with or without object)

, sem·a·phored, sem·a·phor·ing.

1. to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.

semaphore

/ ˌsɛməˈfɒrɪk; ˈsɛməˌfɔː /

noun

1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as with movable arms or railway signals, flags, etc
2. a system of signalling by holding a flag in each hand and moving the arms to designated positions to denote each letter of the alphabet

verb

1. to signal (information) by means of semaphore

Derived Forms

• ˌsemaˈphorically, adverb
• semaphoric, adjective

Other Words From

• sem·a·phor·ic [sem-, uh, -, fawr, -ik, -, for, -], sema·phori·cal adjective
• sema·phori·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of semaphore¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from French sémaphore, from Greek sêma “sign”; -phore

Word History and Origins

Origin of semaphore¹

C19: via French, from Greek sēma a signal + -phore

Example Sentences

She taught semaphore - a visual signaling method allowing information to be conveyed at a distance - to troops ahead of D-Day and helped to test the Mulberry Harbours used in the invasion.

From BBC

Whenever someone got into trouble, Barron would unfurl her semaphore flags and signal for help.

From Seattle Times

And do we need so much semaphore to understand our relationships?

From Salon

On the left shoulder, front, a cluster of schematic semaphore signals evokes his years in the Marines.

From New York Times

Today, to help relative newcomers navigate potential April Fool’s foibles, our crack “Now & Then” team shares some quirky codes and stubborn semaphores from “Then” days that persist in the “Now.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• alarm
• beacon
• cue
• gesture
• indicator
• sign