signal
noun
anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, such as a light, a gesture, an act, etc.: a signal to leave.
had been signalling
-
past perfect progressiveof signal.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
For some years, a signboard stood on the land where the house had been, signalling the link between Iran's original spiritual guide and the village.
From Barron's ● Mar. 3, 2026
Policy makers for Asia's fourth largest economy had been signalling that they were ready to increase the cost of borrowing since May.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2021
Following the direction indicated by the mirror, Inspector Chippenfield saw Mrs. Hill had been signalling through a window which looked into the back yard.
From The Hampstead Mystery by John R. (John Reay) Watson
The twins were on opposite sides of the table, and of course we always found after dinner that we had been signalling to the wrong one.
From "Over There" with the Australians by R. Hugh (Reginald Hugh) Knyvett
Calavius had been signalling vigorously to his son, Perolla, who had reclined silent and gloomy, but who now seemed about to speak.
From The Lion's Brood by Duffield Osborne
