DIAL (dialled, dialling)
Dictionary entry overview: What does dial mean?
• DIAL (noun)
The noun DIAL has 4 senses:
1. the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
2. the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning
3. the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments
4. a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called
Familiarity information: DIAL used as a noun is uncommon.
• DIAL (verb)
The verb DIAL has 2 senses:
1. operate a dial to select a telephone number
2. choose by means of a dial
Familiarity information: DIAL used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• DIAL (noun)
Meaning:
The face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("dial" is a kind of...):
face (the side upon which the use of a thing depends (usually the most prominent surface of an object))
Holonyms ("dial" is a part of...):
horologe; timekeeper; timepiece (a measuring instrument or device for keeping time)
Meaning:
The control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("dial" is a kind of...):
control; controller (a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine)
Meaning:
The circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("dial" is a kind of...):
indicator (a device for showing the operating condition of some system)
Meaning:
A disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
telephone dial; dial
Hypernyms ("dial" is a kind of...):
selector; selector switch (a switch that is used to select among alternatives)
Meronyms (parts of "dial"):
finger hole (a hole for inserting a finger)
Holonyms ("dial" is a part of...):
dial phone; dial telephone (a telephone with a dial for registering the number to be called)
• DIAL (verb)
Meaning:
Operate a dial to select a telephone number
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Context example:
You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial
Hypernyms (to "dial" is one way to...):
control; operate (handle and cause to function)
Domain category:
telephone; telephony (transmitting speech at a distance)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Choose by means of a dial
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
dial a telephone number
Hypernyms (to "dial" is one way to...):
choose; pick out; select; take (pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
