1
: the face of a sundial
2
obsolete
: timepiece
3
: the graduated face of a timepiece
4
a
: a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer
the thermometer dial reads 70°F
b
: a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine
a radio dial
a telephone dial
dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling
1
: to measure with a dial
2
a
: to manipulate a device (such as a dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select
dial your favorite program
dialed the wrong number
b
: call sense 1m(1)
dialed the office
1
Synonyms
Examples of dial in a Sentence
Noun
the dial of a pressure gauge
I had to keep adjusting the radio dial to make the station come in clearly.
Verb
I'm sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number.
dialed 911 and asked for the police
Recent Examples on the Web
Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
In lieu of laces, two adjustable dials allow wearers to finetune their fit.
—Ashley Mateo, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Allure Editors, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
On second down, Kyle Shanahan dialed up a great play-action pass to Deebo Samuel over the middle.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dial 
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Noun
There is a special challenge to bringing these patterns to life on a watch dial, which is a preposterously small canvas for such intricate designs.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
In lieu of laces, two adjustable dials allow wearers to finetune their fit.
—Ashley Mateo, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
What impressed me the most, though, was the shampoo's ability to dial down my typically itchy scalp—and free my shoulders of the telltale dandruff dust.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
On second down, Kyle Shanahan dialed up a great play-action pass to Deebo Samuel over the middle.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dial
Articles Related to dial
Dictionary Entries Near dial
Cite this Entry
“Dial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dial. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dial
1 of 2 noun
di·al
ˈdī(-ə)l 
1
a
: sundial
b
: the face of a watch or clock
2
a
: a face or scale on which some measurement is registered usually by means of numbers and a pointer
the thermometer dial reads 60°
b
: a disk usually with a knob or slots that may be turned to make electrical connections (as on a telephone) or to regulate the operation of a device (as a radio)
dial
2 of 2 verb
dialed or dialled; dialing or dialling
1
: to turn a dial so as to operate, regulate, or select
2
: to make a telephone call or connection
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