signal
♦ sig|nal /s'ɪgnəl/ (signals signalling signalled)
in AM, use signaling, signaled
1 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a gesture, sound, or action which is intended to give a particular message to the person who sees or hears it.
They fired three distress signals...
As soon as it was dark, Mrs Evans gave the signal...
You mustn't fire without my signal.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V that, V n, also V
If you signal to someone, you make a gesture or sound in order to send them a particular message.
The United manager was to be seen frantically signalling to McClair...
He stood up, signalling to the officer that he had finished with his client...
She signalled a passing taxi and ordered him to take her to the rue Marengo.
3 [N-COUNT] with supp
If an event or action is a signal of something, it suggests that this thing exists or is going to happen.
Kurdish leaders saw the visit as an important signal of support...
= sign
4 [VERB] V n, V wh
If someone or something signals an event, they suggest that the event is happening or likely to happen.
She will be signalling massive changes in energy policy...
The outcome of that meeting could signal whether there truly exists a political will to begin negotiating.
= indicate
5 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a piece of equipment beside a railway, which indicates to train drivers whether they should stop the train or not.
6 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a series of radio waves, light waves, or changes in electrical current which may carry information.
...high-frequency radio signals.sig|nal box (signal boxes)
[N-COUNT]
A signal box is a small building near a railway, which contains the switches used to control the signals.smoke sig|nal (smoke signals)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
If someone such as a politician or businessman sends out smoke signals, they give an indication of their views and intentions. This indication is often not clear and needs to be worked out.
The smoke signals from the central bank suggest further cuts are coming.time sig|nal (time signals)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The time signal is the series of high-pitched sounds that are broadcast at certain times on the radio, for example at exactly one o'clock or exactly six o'clock. (BRIT)turn sig|nal (turn signals)
[N-COUNT]
A car's turn signals are the flashing lights that tell you it is going to turn left or right. (AM; in BRIT, use indicators)
in AM, use signaling, signaled
1 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a gesture, sound, or action which is intended to give a particular message to the person who sees or hears it.
They fired three distress signals...
As soon as it was dark, Mrs Evans gave the signal...
You mustn't fire without my signal.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V that, V n, also V
If you signal to someone, you make a gesture or sound in order to send them a particular message.
The United manager was to be seen frantically signalling to McClair...
He stood up, signalling to the officer that he had finished with his client...
She signalled a passing taxi and ordered him to take her to the rue Marengo.
3 [N-COUNT] with supp
If an event or action is a signal of something, it suggests that this thing exists or is going to happen.
Kurdish leaders saw the visit as an important signal of support...
= sign
4 [VERB] V n, V wh
If someone or something signals an event, they suggest that the event is happening or likely to happen.
She will be signalling massive changes in energy policy...
The outcome of that meeting could signal whether there truly exists a political will to begin negotiating.
= indicate
5 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a piece of equipment beside a railway, which indicates to train drivers whether they should stop the train or not.
6 [N-COUNT]
A signal is a series of radio waves, light waves, or changes in electrical current which may carry information.
...high-frequency radio signals.sig|nal box (signal boxes)
[N-COUNT]
A signal box is a small building near a railway, which contains the switches used to control the signals.smoke sig|nal (smoke signals)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
If someone such as a politician or businessman sends out smoke signals, they give an indication of their views and intentions. This indication is often not clear and needs to be worked out.
The smoke signals from the central bank suggest further cuts are coming.time sig|nal (time signals)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The time signal is the series of high-pitched sounds that are broadcast at certain times on the radio, for example at exactly one o'clock or exactly six o'clock. (BRIT)turn sig|nal (turn signals)
[N-COUNT]
A car's turn signals are the flashing lights that tell you it is going to turn left or right. (AM; in BRIT, use indicators)