| Noun | 1. | dial - the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hoursface - the side upon which the use of a thing depends (usually the most prominent surface of an object); "he dealt the cards face down" | |
| 2. | dial - the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuningcontroller, control - a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the speed control on his turntable was not working properly"; "I turned the controls over to her" | |
| 3. | dial - the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instrumentsindicator - a device for showing the operating condition of some system | |
| 4. | dial - a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called | |
| Verb | 1. | dial - operate a dial to select a telephone number; "You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial"control, operate - handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" | |
| 2. | dial - choose by means of a dial; "dial a telephone number"choose, pick out, select, take - pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; "Take any one of these cards"; "Choose a good husband for your daughter"; "She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her" | |