dial

1. a plate, disk, face, or other surface containing markings or figures upon which the time of day is indicated by hands, pointers, or shadows, as of a clock or sundial.
2. a plate or disk with markings or figures for indicating or registering some measurement or number, as of pressure, number of revolutions, the frequency to which a radio is tuned, etc., usually by means of a pointer.
3. a rotatable plate, disk, or knob used for regulating a mechanism, making and breaking electrical connections, etc., as in tuning a radio or television station in or out.
4. Also called ro·ta·ry di·al [roh, -t, uh, -ree dahy-, uh, l, dahyl]. a rotatable plate or disk on a telephone, fitted with finger holes that are marked with letters or numbers, used in making calls through an automatic switchboard.
5. any mechanism on the face of a telephone by which the caller places a call, as push buttons.
6. Also called min·er's di·al [mahy, -nerz dahy-, uh, l, dahyl]. Mining. a compass used for underground surveying.

1. to enter or input (a number) on a telephone, as by means of a touchscreen, push buttons, or a rotary dial:

   I dialed your work number by mistake.

2. to make a telephone call to:

   You can dial the Telehealth hotline for advice from a nurse.

3. to regulate, select, or tune in by means of a dial, as on a radio:

   She reached over to dial an FM station.

4. to indicate or register on or as if on a dial.
5. to measure with or as if with a dial.

1. to enter or input a number on a telephone, as by means of a touchscreen, push buttons, or a rotary dial:

   I keep dialing, but she's not picking up.

2. to use a dial to regulate or make a selection:

   Dial through the program settings on the washer to find the one that suits your load.

1. (of a telephone) having a rotary dial mechanism.

verb phrase

1. to reduce the level of; diminish:

   Such open threats of military action make it more difficult to dial down tensions.

2. 1. to obtain, reach, or contact by telephone:

      Now's your chance to dial up Chicago and do some business.

   2. to access a computer, the internet, or another network by dialing a telephone number.
   3. to increase the level of; intensify:

      I used cayenne, garlic, oregano, thyme, and pepper to dial up the flavor.

1. dialect.
2. dialectal.
3. dialectic.
4. dialectical.