semaphore

American  

[sem-uh-fawr, -fohr] / ˈsɛm əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr /

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

semaphored, semaphoring

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

semaphore British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to signal (information) by means of semaphore

Other Word Forms

• semaphoric adjective
• semaphorical adjective
• semaphorically adverb

Etymology

Origin of semaphore

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

Explanation

A semaphore is a gadget used for conveying signals. Semaphores have either lights or mechanical arms that move. The word semaphore is related to a Greek word meaning "signal," and that's exactly the purpose of semaphores: they give signals. The place you're most likely to have seen a semaphore is a railroad crossing: the gadget with moving arms is a semaphore. Some semaphores have mechanical arms, while others just use lights to communicate. A semaphore system can also use flags. In all cases, semaphores give visual signals that communicate something important, especially to people traveling.

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 • Sep. 13, 2024

That meant learning semaphore to send messages during the day and Morse code for nighttime communications.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

As Meher Mirza wrote for Saveur, "the word 'curry' is sometimes used in the West as a familiar semaphore, but the term ossifies the immense sophistication and complexity of Indian food."

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2021

The choreography that became associated with it was, by TikTok standards, elementary — a casual semaphore of joy with a mild wiggle of the waist.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2020

She was wearing a jaunty shirtwaist, white with small red and blue semaphore flags.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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