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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

dial

/ˈdaɪ.əl/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:39
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What does dial mean?

noun

  1. A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
  2. Such a field as part of a clock face; (metonymic) the entire clock face.
  3. A sundial.
More meanings (10)

noun

  1. A panel on a radio etc showing wavelengths or channels; a knob that is turned to change the wavelength etc.
  2. A disk with finger holes on a telephone; used to select the number to be called.
  3. (slang) A person's face.
  4. A miner's compass.

verb

  1. To control or select something with a dial, or (figuratively) as if with a dial.
  2. To select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone, regardless of whether a physical dial is present.
  3. To use a dial or a telephone.
  4. To initiate a connection to a remote computer service such as a database.
  5. (dated) To use a dial-up modem to connect a personal computer to the Internet.

proper noun

  1. A surname.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈdaɪ.əl/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Drawing a cunningly wrought key from his pocket-pouch, he removed the cover of the right-hand dial of the controlling destination compass.
Edgar Rice BurroughsThuvia, maid of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #72
It is only when the shadow is not there, when the clouds of winter cover it, that the dial is terrible.
Richard JefferiesThe Pageant of SummerProject Gutenberg ebook #414
More book examples (3)
As for aging, why, the dial of my life was turned back till my friends all said, "Slocum is young again."
Joshua SlocumSailing Alone Around the WorldProject Gutenberg ebook #6317
He informs us that the clock is made of wood throughout, excepting the escapement and the dial, which are made of brass.
Samuel SmilesMen of Invention and IndustryProject Gutenberg ebook #725
The dial on the front of the instrument is intended to indicate the exact amount of physical expansion or contraction of the strip.
Frank Lewis Dyer; Thomas Commerford MartinEdison: His Life and InventionsProject Gutenberg ebook #820