Meaning of signal in English

signal

noun [ C ]

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ uk

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/

signal noun [C] (ACTION)

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an action, movement, or sound that gives information, a message, a warning, or an order:

give (someone) the signal When she gave (them) the signal, they all cheered.

[ + that ] The fireworks were a signal that the festival had started.

[ + to infinitive ] The police officer gave us the signal to stop.

signal for The signal for a race to start is often the firing of a gun.

(UK indicator)

a turn signal

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More examplesFewer examples

At a prearranged signal, everyone started moving forwards.
I usually set my watch by the time signal on the radio.
At the given signal, the group rushed forward to the barrier.
I've been trying to call him all evening, but I keep getting the engaged signal.
A whistle is the signal for the children to line up ready to go into the classroom.
The quarterback called his signals to the rest of the offense.
The umpire made the signal that the batter was out.

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Signs, signals and symbols

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The exterior of vehicles

signal noun [C] (WAVE)

a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio or television in order to produce a sound, picture, or message

Examples

The picture quality is bad because the TV signal isn't powerful enough.
The equipment sent out a regular high-pitched signal.
There is some interference on the signal - do not adjust your set.

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Communications - general words

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signal noun [C] (SHOWING)

something that shows that something else exists or is likely to happen:

signal of The loss is a clear signal of his deteriorating confidence.

signal that The changing color of the leaves on the trees is a signal that it will soon be autumn.

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Signs, signals and symbols

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signal noun [C] (EQUIPMENT)

equipment, especially on the side of a railroad or road, often with lights, that tells drivers to stop, continue, or go more slowly:

a railroad signal

a traffic signal

a road signal

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Railways & railway lines

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Roads: lights, signs & markings on roads

signal

verb

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ uk

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/

-ll- or US usually -l-

signal verb (ACTION)

C2 [ I or T ]

to make a movement, sound, flash, etc. that gives information or tells people what to do:

signal something (to someone) Flashing lights on a parked car usually signal a warning (to other drivers).

He signaled left, and turned the truck slowly.

He was signaling (= giving a signal) with a red flag.

signal for She signaled for help.

[ + that ] She signaled to the cars behind her that they were going the wrong way.

[ + obj + to infinitive ] The children's mother signaled them to be quiet.

[ + to infinitive ] The children's mother signaled to/for them to be quiet.

More examplesFewer examples

She signalled to them to sit down.
The ship signalled for help.
A flashing light signalled that there was danger ahead.
I signalled left and turned into the driveway.

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Communicating & keeping in touch

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signal verb (SHOW)

[ T ]

to show that you intend or are ready to do something:

[ + that ] The union has signaled that the workers will strike.

The union has signaled the workers' intention to strike.

The death of Chairman Mao signaled (= marked) the end of an era in Chinese history.

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signal

adjective [ before noun ]

formal

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ uk

/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/

noticeable and unusual:

a signal success/failure

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Unique and unusual

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(Definition of signal from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

signal | Intermediate English

signal

noun [ C ]

/ˈsɪɡ·nəl/

signal noun [C] (ACTION)

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an action, movement, or sound that gives information, a message, a warning, or an order:

I tried to call but kept getting a busy signal.

When the lieutenant gave the signal, five police officers charged into the apartment.

In retrospect, looking at how she was acting, we should have been able to recognize the danger signals.

A signal is also a device, often with lights, that shows people or vehicles whether to stop, go, or move carefully.

signal noun [C] (WAVE)

a series of energy waves that carry a sound, picture, or other information:

a low-frequency radio signal

signal

adjective

fml

/ˈsɪɡ·nəl/

signal adjective (IMPORTANT)

unusual and important:

You performed a signal service to our people, and we wish to express our gratitude.

signal

verb [ I/T ]

/ˈsɪɡ·nəl/

signal verb [I/T] (MAKE MOVEMENT)

to make a movement, sound, etc. that gives information or tells people what to do:

[ I ] When you learn to drive, you are told that you have to signal before you turn right or left.

[ T ] The police officer signaled us to stop.

(Definition of signal from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

signal | Business English

signal

noun [ C ]

/ˈsɪɡnəl/ us

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a sign that something is true or that something is going to happen:

a signal to sb It is a signal to the rest of the world that we are serious about global warming.

a clear/strong /important signal

a signal of sth It was a strong signal of the power now wielded by big institutional investors.

mixed/conflicting/contradicting signals

the right/wrong signal

a positive signal

COMMUNICATIONS

a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio, television, or mobile phone in order to produce a sound, picture, or message:

I couldn't get a signal on my phone.

signal

verb [ T ]

/ˈsɪɡnəl/ us

UK -ll- | US -l-

to show that something is going to happen or that you are going to do something:

Drops in sales signal a tough year ahead.

signal that It recently signalled that it would not stand in the way of a takeover bid.

(Definition of signal from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of signal

signal

It was not until 1907 that the hand signal became standard for umpires.

From Los Angeles Times

Zoologists have started to find the hidden signals in the whoops and laughs of spotted hyenas.

From National Geographic

But so few people signal that they're turning left, that people will wait at that stop sign to see what you "really" do.

From CNN

It certainly, to me, signals that they are beginning to hear clearly the concerns of the community.

From Baltimore Sun

As an alternative, for a few dollars more they could broadcast a signal back through the existing electric wires to a central repeater station.

From ThinkProgress

Fueling done, the team gave me the signal.

From Ars Technica

Complex systems like ecological food webs, the brain, and the climate all give off a characteristic signal when disaster is around the corner.

From The Atlantic

As she waited for the light to turn green, the crossing signals behind her began flashing and sounding.

From Chicago Daily Herald

Even homes that could receive the over-the-air signals signed up for cable.

From TechCrunch

If you can't get a signal, then what's the point of having a smartphone?

From CNET

This sent a strong signal to military and veteran families that their experiences and service were valued at the school.

From TIME

He'll see, he'll tell us if he saw signals, he will tell us exactly what happened in that cab.

From CBS News

I got a busy signal and called back.

From Slate Magazine

Once people decide to transition, however, it doesn't signal the end of turmoil.

From Slate Magazine

And the uptick in tips is not only welcome news for the workers bringing the money home -- it may also signal an economic turnaround.

From Huffington Post

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.