Definition & Meaning of "dial"

to dial

VERB

to enter a telephone number using a rotary or keypad on a telephone or mobile device in order to make a call

Transitive: to dial a phone number

Example

She dialed her friend 's number to invite them to the party.

He quickly dialed 911 when he witnessed an emergency.

I 'll dial the customer service hotline to inquire about my order.

to turn or adjust a device in order to control or select a setting or function

Transitive: to dial a device or setting

Example

The technician dialed the machine 's settings to adjust its speed.

He dialed the volume on the speaker to make the music louder.

She dialed the thermostat to increase the room 's temperature.

Dial

NOUN

the face of a clock or a watch that has numbers on it to show the time

a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called

a round control used to adjust settings such as temperature, volume, or fan speed

What is a "dial"?

A dial is a round control used to adjust settings such as temperature, volume, or speed. It operates by turning the dial to increase or decrease the desired setting. Dials are commonly found on various devices and appliances, including radios, ovens, vehicles, and thermostats. They offer a simple way to adjust settings and are designed for easy operation.

Example

They installed a new dial for the car 's climate control system.

The dial for the headlights allowed him to switch between high and low beams.

She turned the dial to increase the temperature in the car.

the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning

Example