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.

In the past, people had to manually dial the numbers on rotary phones.

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

Transitive: to dial a device or setting

Example

She dialed the radio to find her favorite station.

He dialed the temperature on the oven to 350 degrees for baking.

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

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

He adjusted the dial on the radio to find his favorite station.

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