dial tone

noun

1. (in a telephone) a tone that indicates the line is ready for dialing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dial tone¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

For millions, the first time they went online sounded like this: a click, a dial tone, a burst of static, a high-pitched screech, and then — if the internet gods smiled — silence, followed by a cheery voice saying, “Welcome! You’ve got mail.”

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Nearby, museum archivist Claire Violet is on her back beneath a table, trying to figure out why she can’t get a dial tone from a phone at her work station.

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The Whidbey Island phone had a dial tone, so I pressed buttons until the sounds stopped.

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“The bank took my car. I knew the electricity would be next, and I had no idea how I would pay my rent … I picked up the phone and, miraculously, the dial tone came on, and before they cut it off again, I started calling clubs where I had worked. I had forgotten that if you don’t do things for yourself, no one will do them for you.”

Read more on Washington Post

I’m excited to try Busy Signal and Dial Tone, a new line of wines from pinot noir maestro Adam Lee, the founder of Siduri and Clarice wineries.

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