dial

1 of 3

noun

di·​al ˈdī(-ə)l 

1

: the face of a sundial

2

obsolete : timepiece

3

: the graduated face of a timepiece

4

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

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

Verb

• call
• phone
• ring (up) [chiefly British]
• 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

This watch has also inspired a limited edition of our Ingenieur Automatic 40 with a green dial and gold appliqués. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 May 2025

She’s found a Victorian-style phone with its rotary dial replaced by a number pad, and encased in what looks like jadestone. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025

Verb

At one point, the S & P 500 briefly slid into a bear market , dropping more than 20% from its February record, before dialing back its losses as retail investors bought the dip. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 May 2025

Those struggling with a substance use disorder and need help can contact the county’s Behavioral Health Center at 800-704-0900 or dial 988. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

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 1

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