signal - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

signal

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈsɪgnəl/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈsɪgnəl/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(sig′nl)

Inflections of 'signal' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
When both "l" and "ll" forms exist, spellings with a double "l" are correct, but rare, in US English, while those with a single "l" are not correct in UK English.
signals
v 3rd person singular
signalling
v pres p (Mainly UK)
signaling
v pres p (US)
signalled
v past (Mainly UK)
signaled
v past (US)
signalled
v past p (Mainly UK)
signaled
v past p (US)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024
sig•nal /ˈsɪgnəl/USA pronunciation   n., adj., v., -naled, -nal•ing or (esp. Brit.) -nalled, -nal•ling. 
n. [countable]
  1. anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, etc., such as a light, a gesture, or an act:a traffic signal.
  2. an act or event that causes an action:The execution was a signal for revolt.
  3. Electronicsan electrical quantity or effect, as current or waves, that can be varied to convey information:a TV signal.

adj. [before a noun]
  1. serving as a signal:a signal light.
  2. unusual;
    notable;
    outstanding:a signal accomplishment.

v. 
  1. to make a signal to (someone or something): [no object]The police officer stood there signaling.[~ + object]The captain said he wanted to signal his ship.[~ + object + to + verb]Signal the tugboat to pull up a little closer.[~ + that clause]to signal that he wants to come home.
See -sign-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024
sig•nal  (sig′nl),USA pronunciation n., adj., v., -naled, -nal•ing or (esp. Brit.) -nalled, -nal•ling. 
n. 
  1. anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, as a light, a gesture, an act, etc.:a traffic signal; a signal to leave.
  2. anything agreed upon or understood as the occasion for concerted action.
  3. an act, event, or the like that causes or incites some action:The unjust execution was the signal for revolt.
  4. a token;
    indication.
  5. Electronicsan electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information.
  6. Games[Cards.]a play that reveals to one's partner a wish that he or she continue or discontinue the suit led.

adj. 
  1. serving as a signal;
    used in signaling:a signal flag.
  2. unusual;
    notable;
    outstanding:a signal exploit.

v.t. 
  1. to make a signal to.
  2. to communicate or make known by a signal.

v.i. 
  1. to make communication by a signal or signals.
  • Medieval Latin signāle, Late Latin, noun, nominal use of neuter of signālis of a sign. See sign, -al2, -al1
  • Middle English (noun, nominal) 1350–1400
sig′nal•er;
 esp. Brit. sig′nal•ler, n. 
    • 1, 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged sign.
    • 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged unique, exceptional, remarkable, striking.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
signal /ˈsɪɡnəl/ n
  1. any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
  2. anything that acts as an incitement to action: the rise in prices was a signal for rebellion
  3. a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
  4. the information so conveyed
  5. (as modifier): signal strength, a signal generator
 adj
  1. distinguished or conspicuous
  2. used to give or act as a signal
 vb ( -nals, -nalling, -nalled) ( US -nals, -naling, -naled)
  1. to communicate (a message, etc) to (a person)
Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French seignal, from Medieval Latin signāle, from Latin signum sign

ˈsignaller, US ˈsignaler n
'signal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
AND circuit - Bengal light - act call - advance - affirmative - air alert - alarm - alert - aliasing - all clear - allegedly - am - amplification - amplifier - amplitude modulation - angel - annunciator - assembly - attenuate - attenuator - auto-dialer - automatic tracking - bait - balefire - bandwidth - bass - beacon - beam - beat - beck - beckon - beep - beeper - bell - black flag - blank cartridge - blanketing - bleed - bleep - bleeper - blinker - block signal - blockade - bloop - blow - blue peter - board - bonfire - booster - bounce
Collocations: signal [strength, intensity, level], signal [processing, transduction, boost, framework], [make, install, use] a signal booster, more...

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