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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presignalnoun
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signalernoun
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signallernoun
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resignalverb
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unsignaledadjective
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unsignalledadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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signalsimple
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signalssimple
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have signaledperfect
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have signalledperfect
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has signaledperfect
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has signalledperfect
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am signalingprogressive
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am signallingprogressive
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are signalingprogressive
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are signallingprogressive
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is signalingprogressive
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is signallingprogressive
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have been signalingperfect progressive
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have been signallingperfect progressive
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has been signalingperfect progressive
-
has been signallingperfect progressive
Past
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signaledsimple
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signalledsimple
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had signaledperfect
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had signalledperfect
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was signalingprogressive
-
was signallingprogressive
-
were signalingprogressive
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were signallingprogressive
-
had been signalingperfect progressive
-
had been signallingperfect progressive
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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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.
See Examples For:
What does that signal about the market there?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Ford’s quarterly results “were an important signal that EV losses are likely to improve,” which could “dramatically” help Ford’s adjusted earnings in the next three years, Narayan said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Richard Flynn, managing director at Charles Schwab UK, said the "biggest smoke signal" for the US central bank was the energy market, with the ongoing conflict in Iran likely to influence future rate decisions.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
“At $5.77 a gallon, the operating-cost math swings decisively to the EV, about $125 a month for a typical driver, and buyers acted on that price signal within weeks,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
He gently tightened the reins to signal to the ox to go faster.
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
How to interpret those signals is another question.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
The pickup in volatility seen after previous signals has been notable, according to Roos.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
If Tokyo signals another rate hike, the message is simple: America’s biggest foreign lender wants its money at home.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
It may also lead to better ways of transmitting signals between devices and encoding more information within them.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Electronic signals were sent back and forth between Crusher and the Juggernaut.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
The case for a surprise increase when the rate-setting committee meets Wednesday rests less on anything members of the panel have signaled than on whether Chairman Kevin Warsh supports one for reasons of his own.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Robinson added that the AI model launched by Moonshot last week signaled that more efficient models will necessitate less capex going forward.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
A chorus of horns sounded as drivers signaled their support.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
While the big three providers have signaled that they don’t want to do business with SpaceX in this capacity, that won’t necessarily stop Musk’s company from trying to force their hands.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026
The siren blew for dismissal; the guard signaled me to follow her.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Maduro's attorney Barry Pollack signalled that he will argue at trial that his client was protected by sovereign immunity, a legal principle shielding heads of state from prosecution.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said it was "absolutely fantastic" to see Burnham's pledge, adding it signalled a shift away from "simply managing homelessness, which costs billions to the public purse".
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
A longtime opponent of Brexit, Burnham has repeatedly signalled his desire to build closer ties between Britain and the European Union.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
It signalled an apparent expansion of American strikes with a focus on Iranian infrastructure, which US President Donald Trump has previously threatened to hit, but there was no immediate comment from US officials.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
I saw a carriage coming down the street and signalled to the driver.
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
“There’s enough signaling that hostilities are on pause for now,” says John Kilduff of Again Capital.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
LA28 sold a record number of tickets during its first drop in April, signaling unprecedented interest in the Olympics as they return to Southern California for the first time since 1984.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
Those mutations also changed the activity of other signaling pathways associated with cancer.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
The market has been signaling anxiety around that setup ahead of central bank’s next policy decision on Wednesday.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 26, 2026
The bell rang, signaling the end of recess.
From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene
Markets have interpreted this as leaning on yields to deliver the tightening, rather than signalling an imminent policy action from the Fed, the international economist and currency strategist adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Within minutes, Mars sat behind a pair of bright red congas for Cha Cha, signalling the start of a set that moved between R&B, funk, Latin influences and pop.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
However, he was later seen going to the practice range, signalling he is likely to stay around for the weekend at Royal Birkdale.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman went to Malaysia and China in his first overseas official visit last month, signalling the direction of Dhaka's foreign policy.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
I was abruptly awakened by the loud ringing of a churchbell, signalling the start of the school day.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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.
