dial

1 of 3

noun

di·​al ˈdī(-ə)l 

1

a

: a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer

the thermometer dial reads 70°F

b

: a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine

a radio dial

a telephone dial

2

: the face of a sundial

3

obsolete : timepiece

4

: the graduated face of a timepiece

dial

2 of 3

verb

dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling

transitive verb

1

: to measure with a dial

2

a

: to manipulate a device (such as a dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select

dial your favorite program

dialed the wrong number

b

: call sense 1m(1)

dialed the office

intransitive verb

1

: to manipulate a dial

2

: to make a telephone call or connection

dial

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

dialect

2

dialectical

Synonyms of dial

Verb

• call
• phone
• telephone

Examples of dial in a Sentence

Noun

the dial of a pressure gauge

I had to keep adjusting the radio dial to make the station come in clearly.

Verb

I'm sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number.

dialed 911 and asked for the police

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The center display was made larger in part by reclaiming space formerly occupied by hard navigation buttons and relocating the volume dial to the trim just below it. —Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026

Even the climate adjustments drew ire, since the dial automatically pulls back into the dash before any fan speed selection actually results in a change. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Verb

Drivers whose cars have mechanical problems or who are stranded along the tollway during the upcoming dangerously cold weather should immediately dial *999 for roadside assistance and remain inside their vehicles until help arrives, tollway officials said in a news release. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

With indoor and outdoor appeal, the versatile Bertoia side chair has modern chops to dial up the interest in any area of your home. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dyal, from Medieval Latin dialis clock wheel revolving daily, from Latin dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1653, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dial

• butt dial
• dial tone
• dial-up
• don't touch that dial
• speed dial

Rhymes for dial

• rial
• thiol
• trial
• vial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial
• supervisorial

Kids Definition

dial

1 of 2 noun

di·​al ˈdī(-ə)l 

1

a

: sundial

b

: the face of a watch or clock

2

a

: a face or scale on which some measurement is registered usually by means of numbers and a pointer

the thermometer dial reads 60°

b

: a disk usually with a knob or slots that may be turned to make electrical connections (as on a telephone) or to regulate the operation of a device (as a radio)

dial

2 of 2 verb

dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling

1

: to turn a dial so as to operate, regulate, or select

2

: to make a telephone call or connection