From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdialdial1 /daɪəl/ ●●○ noun [countable] 1 TDthe round part of a clock, watch, machine etc that has numbers that show you the time or a measurement The lighted dial of her watch said 1.20. She looked at the dial to check her speed.2 TCBDthe part of a piece of equipment such as a radio or thermostat that you turn around to do something, such as find a different station or change the temperature The dial on the heater was set to ‘HOT’.3 TCTthe wheel on an older telephone with numbered holes for your fingers that you move around in order to make a call
Examples from the Corpus
dial• When he tried to call again, he could no longer get a dial tone.• Previous years were ok once you got the sought after dial tone.• We got an error message, indicating there was no dial tone.• Telephones used to have slower rotary dials.• Don't touch that dial. Stay tuned to WXRB.dialdial2 ●●○ verb (dialled, dialling British English, dialed, dialing American English) [intransitive, transitive] TCTto press the buttons or turn the dial on a telephone in order to make a telephone call I think I dialed the wrong number. → dial something ↔ back/down → dial somebody/something ↔ up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
dial• Dial 911 - there's been an accident.• There is no number to dial.• Romanov dialled a number on his private line and asked to be put through to the Chairman of Gosbank.• Would you like to dial again?• She dialled his home number and left a short message on his answering-machine.• Members may choose to dial into local numbers or use an 800 number, making these ideal services for the traveler.• Moreover, county residents have to dial long-distance to Knoxville to get on-line.• The customer dialled the publication he wanted, put in his money, and out came the book.DialDial trademark a type of soap used for washing the body and face, sold in the USOrigin dial1 (1300-1400) Old French Latin dies “day” 