signal
Americannoun
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anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, such as a light, a gesture, an act, etc.: a signal to leave.
a traffic signal;
a signal to leave.
- Synonyms:
- sign
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anything agreed upon or understood as the occasion for concerted action.
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an act, event, or the like that causes or incites some action.
The unjust execution was the signal for revolt.
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a token; indication.
- Synonyms:
- sign
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Electronics. an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information.
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Cards. a play that reveals to one's partner a wish that they continue or discontinue the suit led.
adjective
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serving as a token or indication; used in communiating an intention, warning, or command.
a signal flag.
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unusual; notable; outstanding.
a signal exploit.
- Synonyms:
- striking, remarkable, exceptional, unique
verb (used with object)
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to make a token or indication to.
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to communicate or make known by a token or indication.
verb (used without object)
noun
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any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
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anything that acts as an incitement to action
the rise in prices was a signal for rebellion
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a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
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the information so conveyed
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( as modifier )
signal strength
a signal generator
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adjective
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distinguished or conspicuous
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used to give or act as a signal
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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unsignaledadjective
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signallernoun
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signalernoun
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presignalnoun
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unsignalledadjective
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resignalverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has signaledperfect 3rd person singular
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have signaledperfect
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have signalledperfect
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has signalledperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been signallingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is signalingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am signallingprogressive 1st person singular
-
am signalingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is signallingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
signalingparticiple
-
have been signalingperfect progressive
-
have been signallingperfect progressive
-
are signalingprogressive
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are signallingprogressive
-
signalssingular 3rd person
-
signallingparticiple
-
has been signalingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had signalledperfect
-
had signaledperfect
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were signalingprogressive plural
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had been signallingperfect progressive
-
was signalingprogressive singular
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signaledsimple
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signaledparticiple
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signalledsimple
-
signalledparticiple
-
were signallingprogressive plural
-
had been signalingperfect progressive
-
was signallingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of signal
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun from Old French seignal, signal, from Medieval Latin signāle, Late Latin, noun use of neuter of signālis “of a sign”; see sign, -al 2, -al 1
Explanation
A signal is a gesture or message that people use to communicate with each other. The wave you give a good friend to call her over from across the room and the impulse that transmits your voice through the telephone to your mother are both signals. In the course of a single day, you probably send and receive thousands of different signals. When you want to cross the street, you wait for the green light — a signal that it's safe to cross. If you're in a relationship and you're not sure whether you like the person you're dating, you could be sending mixed signals — first acting like you're interested, and then acting uninterested. If your date finally gets tired of your mixed signals while you're at a restaurant, you'll need to signal to your server that it's time for the check.
Vocabulary lists containing signal
Baseball: A Lexicon
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Words for the World Series
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Such exercises also serve as a signal to Washington that Taiwan is committed to defending itself and deserves U.S. support, with a $14 billion U.S. arms package currently on hold.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
While $39 billion in orders is a positive signal for Super Micro’s business, Wall Street was spooked by the equity financing plans, which will dilute existing shareholders.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
The restructure is the latest signal management is accelerating its simplification efforts as it refocuses its attention on oil and gas.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The COPs "send a signal to the rest of the world" that the issue is being taken seriously, he said.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
But my heart sinks quickly—there’s no signal, no way for me to pull up the wiki.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
