SIGNAL (signalled, signalling)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does signal mean? 

• SIGNAL (noun)
  The noun SIGNAL has 3 senses:

1. any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

2. any incitement to action

3. an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• SIGNAL (adjective)
  The adjective SIGNAL has 1 sense:

1. notably out of the ordinary

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as an adjective is very rare.

• SIGNAL (verb)
  The verb SIGNAL has 2 senses:

1. communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs

2. be a signal for or a symptom of

  Familiarity information: SIGNAL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIGNAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

sign; signal; signaling

Context example:

signals from the boat suddenly stopped

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

communication (something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "signal"):

number; phone number; telephone number (the number is used in calling a particular telephone)

output; output signal (signal that comes out of an electronic system)

input; input signal (signal going into an electronic system)

radio beacon (a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation)

electronic signal (a signal generated by electronic means)

indicator (a signal for attracting attention)

visual signal (a signal that involves visual communication)

symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

high sign (a silent signal of warning or recognition)

whistle; whistling (the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle)

radiotelegraphic signal; telegraphic signal (a signal transmitted by telegraphy)

drumbeat ((military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown)

retreat ((military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position)

bugle call (a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle)

recording (a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded)

start; starting signal (a signal to begin (as in a race))

storm signal (a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence))

beam; radio beam (a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather)

ticktack (system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks)

time signal (a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time)

dog-ear (a corner of a page turned down to mark your place)

animal communication (communication between animals (of the same species))

alarm; alarum; alert; warning signal (an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger)

distress call; distress signal (an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed)

all clear (a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over)

curfew (a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions)

Derivation:

signal (be a signal for or a symptom of)

signal (communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs)

signalize (make conspicuous or noteworthy)

signalize (point out carefully and clearly)

signalize (communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs)

signalize (provide with traffic signals)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any incitement to action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Context example:

the victory was a signal for wild celebration

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

incitation; incitement; provocation (something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Hypernyms ("signal" is a kind of...):

electrical energy; electricity; power (energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "signal"):

interrupt (a signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program so that another procedure can be carried out)

• SIGNAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Notably out of the ordinary

Context example:

the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party

Similar:

impressive (making a strong or vivid impression)

• SIGNAL (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

sign; signal; signalise; signalize

Context example:

The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu

Hypernyms (to "signal" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "signal"):

wigwag (signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code)

semaphore (send signals by or as if by semaphore)

heliograph (signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays)

flag (communicate or signal with a flag)

whistle (give a signal by whistling)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

They signal them the information
They signal the information to them

Derivation:

signal (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

signaler (someone who communicates by signals)

signaling (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

signaller (someone who communicates by signals)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be a signal for or a symptom of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bespeak; betoken; indicate; point; signal

Context example:

The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued

Hypernyms (to "signal" is one way to...):

tell (let something be known)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "signal"):

augur; auspicate; betoken; bode; forecast; foreshadow; foretell; omen; portend; predict; prefigure; presage; prognosticate (indicate, as with a sign or an omen)

mark (designate as if by a mark)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

signal (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

 Context examples 

I love January 15, when Venus in Pisces will receive supportive signals from surprise-a-minute Uranus in your truelove sector (fifth house).

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Just then a bell rang, and the green girl said to Dorothy, "That is the signal. You must go into the Throne Room alone."

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Good, said the fox, but what signal shall we agree upon?

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The Coroner: I understand that the cry of ‘Cooee’ was a common signal between you and your father?

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Will you please signal it, then, so that I may be put ashore.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

‘High red house with stone facings.’ There is the signal station all right.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

However, it was not long before I had an opportunity of doing his majesty, at least as I then thought, a most signal service.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

I could not tell, of course, the meaning of the signal, but it instantly awoke my fears.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

A usually short communication transmitted by words, signals, or other means from one person, station, or group to another.

(Message, NCI Thesaurus)

Mesothelin may help these cells stick together and send signals.

(Mesothelin, NCI Dictionary)