signal
anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, such as a light, a gesture, an act, etc.: a traffic signal;a signal to leave.
anything agreed upon or understood as the occasion for concerted action.
an act, event, or the like that causes or incites some action: The unjust execution was the signal for revolt.
a token; indication.
Electronics. an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information.
Cards. a play that reveals to one's partner a wish that they continue or discontinue the suit led.
serving as a token or indication; used in communiating an intention, warning, or command: a signal flag.
unusual; notable; outstanding: a signal exploit.
to make a token or indication to.
to communicate or make known by a token or indication.
to make communication by something that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like.
Origin of signal
1Other words for signal
Other words from signal
- sig·nal·er; especially British sig·nal·ler, noun
- pre·sig·nal, noun, verb (used with object), pre·sig·naled, pre·sig·nal·ing or (especially British) pre·sig·nalled, pre·sig·nal·ing.
- re·sig·nal, verb re·sig·naled, re·sig·nal·ing or (especially British) re·sig·nalled, re·sig·nal·ling.
- un·sig·naled, adjective
- un·sig·nalled, adjective
Words that may be confused with signal
- signal , single
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use signal in a sentence
The signals are also used to approximately measure distance.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on. | Geoffrey Fowler | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThat’s the problem Neatsy wants its AI to tackle by incorporating another more individual fit signal into the process.
Neatsy wants to reduce sneaker returns with 3D foot scans | Natasha Lomas | November 20, 2020 | TechCrunchOut of 170 cases of covid-19 so far, 162 were in the placebo group — a strong signal the vaccine protected people.
Pfizer and BioNTech will seek regulatory clearance of their coronavirus vaccine | Carolyn Y. Johnson | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostA microphone picked up the ultrasound signals during a bat survey, and Miard tracked the source to colugos.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops | Yao-Hua Law | November 20, 2020 | Science NewsThe instrument platform held a receiver that could be moved to different locations above the disk, giving it the ability to resolve signals from more directions than its fixed dish might suggest.
Big dish of Arecibo observatory has reached the end of the line | John Timmer | November 19, 2020 | Ars Technica
The cry that rose up into the night signaled a moral indictment no matter what the grand jury had said.
‘I Can’t Breathe!’ ‘I Can’t Breathe!’ A Moral Indictment of Cop Culture | Michael Daly | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHer casting on the show allegedly signaled the start of a 4-year relationship with Cosby.
Bill Cosby’s Long List of Accusers (So Far): 18 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims Between 1965-2004 | Marlow Stern | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne month later to the day, the stock market crash of Black Tuesday signaled the start of the Great Depression.
How to Save Silent Movies: Inside New Jersey’s Cinema Paradiso | Rich Goldstein | October 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe signaled that talks aimed at finding way for a new start in relations would be put on hold.
Erdogan May Win the Turkish Presidency, But He'll Face the ISIS Crisis | Thomas Seibert | August 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMitchum signaled for the rescue boat—which started toward them.
The Stacks: Mr. Bad Taste and Trouble Himself: Robert Mitchum | Robert Ward | July 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEdna was a trifle embarrassed at being thus signaled out for the imperious little woman's favor.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThe sentinels signaled at a sign of danger, and then the herd ran; and so their enemies learned to hunt by following the chase.
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth DoppOccasionally he screamed an order to his chum, who signaled with his hand that he heard and understood.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. MorrisonI went to the platform and signaled to turn the current on to the two inner fences.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)Captain Barney at once signaled his merchant ships to make all haste up the bay.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes | Various
British Dictionary definitions for signal
/ (ˈsɪɡnəl) /
any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
anything that acts as an incitement to action: the rise in prices was a signal for rebellion
a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
the information so conveyed
(as modifier): signal strength; a signal generator
distinguished or conspicuous
used to give or act as a signal
to communicate (a message, etc) to (a person)
Origin of signal
1Derived forms of signal
- signaller or US signaler, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for signal
[ sĭg′nəl ]
A fluctuating quantity or impulse whose variations represent information. The amplitude or frequency of voltage, current, electric field strength, light, and sound can be varied as signals representing information.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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