A dial is the part of a clock or watch where you see the numbers and hands. It helps you know what time it is by looking at it.
The dial shows the time very clearly.
I looked at the dial on my watch.
A dial is a round part you turn to control something like a radio, stove, or telephone. Turning it changes the settings or chooses numbers.
Turn the dial to change the radio station.
She adjusted the dial to make it louder.
To dial means to choose the phone numbers and make a call. You can do this by turning a dial or pressing buttons on a phone.
I will dial my friend now.
She dialed the number quickly.
To dial means to turn a control part of a machine to change its setting. For example, you can dial a volume or temperature up or down.
He dialed the stove to make it hotter.
Please dial the volume down.
A dial can be on a machine to show important information like speed or fuel. It has numbers or marks that help you understand the data.
The fuel gauge dial is near empty.
Check the dial on the gas meter.
To dial can mean to send a signal or code by using special controls, mainly in older phones or radios. It involves choosing numbers or symbols.
They dialed the number on the old phone.
He dialed a code to open the system.
To dial means to turn the round part of an old telephone to choose numbers. It is done by moving your finger around a circle.
She dialed slowly on the rotary phone.
He dialed his number with care.
Sometimes, dial is used to talk about the way a person sounds or acts, like their style or manner. It is a less common and informal use.
She has a friendly dial when she talks.
His dial is very polite and calm.
