SIGNAL (signalled, signalling)

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does signal mean? 

• SIGNAL (noun)
  The noun SIGNAL has 3 senses:

1. any communication that encodes a message
2. any incitement to action
3. an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• SIGNAL (adjective)
  The adjective SIGNAL has 1 sense:

1. notably out of the ordinary

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as an adjective is very rare.

• SIGNAL (verb)
  The verb SIGNAL has 2 senses:

1. communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
2. be a signal for or a symptom of

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIGNAL (noun)

Meaning:

Any communication that encodes a message

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

signal; signaling; sign

Context example:

signals from the boat suddenly stopped

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

communication (something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "signal"):

recording (signal encoding something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded)

drumbeat ((military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown)

radiotelegraphic signal; telegraphic signal (a signal transmitted by telegraphy)

whistle; whistling (the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle)

high sign (a silent signal of warning or recognition)

symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

visual signal (a signal that involves visual communication)

indicator (a signal for attracting attention)

electronic signal (a signal generated by electronic means)

radio beacon (a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation)

input; input signal (signal going into an electronic system)

output; output signal (signal that comes out of an electronic system)

retreat ((military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position)

curfew (a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions)

bugle call (a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle)

number; phone number; telephone number (the number is used in calling a particular telephone)

start; starting signal (a signal to begin (as in a race))

storm signal (a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence))

beam; radio beam (a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides pilots in darkness or bad weather)

ticktack (system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks)

time signal (a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time)

dog-ear (a corner of a page turned down to mark your place)

animal communication (communication between animals (of the same species))

alarm; alarum; alert; warning signal (an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger)

distress call; distress signal (an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed)

all clear (a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over)

Meaning:

Any incitement to action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Context examples:

he awaited the signal to start / the victory was a signal for wild celebration

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

incitation; incitement; provocation (something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action)

Meaning:

An electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

electrical energy; electricity (energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "signal"):

interrupt (a signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program so that another procedure can be carried out)

• SIGNAL (adjective)

Meaning:

Notably out of the ordinary

Context example:

the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party

Similar:

impressive (making a strong or vivid impression)

• SIGNAL (verb)

Meaning:

Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

signal; signalise; signalize; sign

Context examples:

He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture / The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu

Hypernyms (to "signal" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "signal"):

wigwag (signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code)

semaphore (send signals by or as if by semaphore)

heliograph (signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays)

flag (communicate or signal with a flag)

whistle (give a signal by whistling)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

They signal them the information
They signal the information to them

Meaning:

Be a signal for or a symptom of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

indicate; betoken; bespeak; signal; point

Context examples:

These symptoms indicate a serious illness / Her behavior points to a severe neurosis / The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued

Hypernyms (to "signal" is one way to...):

tell (let something be known)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "signal"):

mark (designate as if by a mark)

augur; auspicate; betoken; bode; forecast; foreshadow; foretell; omen; portend; predict; prefigure; presage; prognosticate (indicate by signs)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something