Meaning of signal in English

Table of contents

Verb
signal
Definitions
1. communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
Examples
- « He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture »
- « The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu »
Derived terms
2. be a signal for or a symptom of
Examples
- « These symptoms indicate a serious illness »
- « Her behavior points to a severe neurosis »
- « The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued »
Derived terms
Classifying Adjective
signal
Definitions
1. notably out of the ordinary
Examples
- « the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party »
Synonyms
- impressive
Noun
signal
Etymology
late Middle English: from Old French, from medieval Latin signale, neuter of late Latin signalis, from Latin signum‘mark, token’ (see sign). The verb dates from the early 19th century
Definitions
1. any communication that encodes a message
Examples
- « signals from the boat suddenly stopped »
Derived terms
2. any incitement to action
Examples
- « he awaited the signal to start »
- « the victory was a signal for wild celebration »
3. an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

Famous quotes

« America's downgrade may serve as a wakeup call for its policymakers. It is an unambiguous and loud signal of the country's eroding economic strength and global standing. It renders urgent the need to regain the initiative through better economic policymaking and more coherent governance. »
Mohamed El-Erian
« And it's here and it's ready and we can really revolutionize the way we educate our children with tablet computers, and I'm committed to doing whatever I can to speaking to whomever I can to send this signal - to pound this message home. Now is the time. »
LeVar Burton
« In formal logic, a contradiction is the signal of defeat, but in the evolution of real knowledge it marks the first step in progress toward a victory. »
Alfred North Whitehead
« This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions now should be undertaken with increased urgency and at an accelerated pace. »
Margaret Chan
« Intensity like signal strength will generally fall off with distance from the source, although it also depends on the local conditions and the pathway from the source to the point. »
Charles Francis Richter