dial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
  2. noun the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning
  3. noun the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments
  4. noun a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called
    telephone dial.
  5. verb operate a dial to select a telephone number
    • You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial
  6. verb choose by means of a dial
    • dial a telephone number

WordNet

Di"al noun
Etymology
LL. dialis daily, fr. L. dies day. See Deity.
Definitions
  1. An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either horizontal or vertical.
  2. The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of day is shown by pointers or hands.
  3. A miner's compass.
Di"al transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Dialed or Dialled; present participle & verbal noun Dialing or Dialling
Definitions
  1. To measure with a dial.
    Hours of that true time which is dialed in heaven. Talfourd.
  2. (Mining) To survey with a dial. Raymond.

Webster 1913