signal
Pluralsignals
Verbsignals
Pluralsignals
Formssignals
- 1A sign or movement that warns people, gives an order, or tells them to begin doing something together.
Like raising your hand to tell everyone you are ready to begin.
The teacher gave a signal for the children to line up quietly.
A loud whistle was the signal to start the race.
UsageSay give the signal or the signal to start.
Similarcue, sign, warning, alarm, go-ahead
Note
- 2An electrical wave that carries radio, TV, or phone information through the air or along a wire.
Like a voice traveling through the air so a radio can hear it.
The radio signal got weaker as we drove into the tunnel.
A strong phone signal made the video call clear.
UsageSay get a signal or lose the signal.
Similartransmission, broadcast
Note
- 3To show or tell something, or tell someone to do something, using a sign, movement, light, or sound.
Like waving to a friend so they know you have seen them.
Drivers must signal before they turn at a corner.
She raised her hand to signal that she had a question.
UsageSay signal someone to stop, or signal for help.
Similarindicate, show, communicate, convey, signify
- 4A light, flag, or other device that shows a message to someone, often telling them to stop or go.
Like a traffic light that tells cars when to stop and when to go.
The train waited at the red signal until the track was clear.
The traffic signal at our corner has been broken all week.
UsageSay a traffic signal or a red signal.
- 5A changing amount or pattern, such as electric pulses, that carries information from one place to another.
Like a flashing light that tells you something has changed.
Scientists study the signal from the shaking ground to find where the earthquake started.
On the screen, the signal from his heartbeat went up and down in a steady pattern.
- 6Something that shows what is true, what someone intends, or what is likely to happen.
Like the smell of smoke that warns you of a fire nearby.
The first frost is a signal that winter is near.
His tired eyes were a signal that he needed rest.
UsageSay a signal that winter is near, or mixed signals.
Note
- 7A message passed between cells to tell them what to do.
Like one person whispering instructions to the person next to them.
A chemical signal told the cells to start dividing.
The body uses a signal to tell cells when to repair damage.
Note
- 8Useful information that stands out from all the random, useless background.
Like hearing one clear voice in a noisy, crowded room.
It was hard to find the real signal in all that online chatter.
Good data helps you find the signal in all the noise.
UsageSay find the signal in the noise.
Oppositenoise
Less common meanings
- 9Much greater than usual in rank, importance, or success.
Like a gold medal that shows someone did far better than the rest.
Winning the prize was a signal honor for the young scientist.
Saving the old bridge was a signal success for the town's volunteers.
UsageSay a signal success or a signal honor.
Similarremarkable, outstanding, notable, striking, noteworthy
Oppositeminor, unremarkable, ordinary, insignificant
Note
- 10A short message that tells a running program that something has happened.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
This word came through Old French and Latin from the Latin word "signum," meaning a sign. It was first used as a verb around 1805.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Signal came through Old French and Latin from Latin signum. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin signum means a sign. en.wiktionary.org
- Signal was first used as a verb around 1805. en.wiktionary.org