noun, adjective, verb, -naled, -nal⋅ing or (especially British
) -nalled, -nal⋅ling.| 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. | Electronics. an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information. |
| 6. | Cards. a play that reveals to one's partner a wish that he or she continue or discontinue the suit led. |
| 7. | serving as a signal; used in signaling: a signal flag. |
| 8. | unusual; notable; outstanding: a signal exploit. |
| 9. | to make a signal to. |
| 10. | to communicate or make known by a signal. |
| 11. | to make communication by a signal or signals. |
sig·nal (sĭg'nəl) n.
v. sig·naled or sig·nalled, sig·nal·ing or sig·nal·ling, sig·nals v. tr.
To make a signal or signals. [Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin signāle, from neuter of Late Latin signālis, of a sign, from Latin signum, sign; see sign.] sig'nal·er, sig'nal·ler n. |
signal