26984 words

signals

16 definitions • 36 examples
1
an action, movement, or sound that gives information, a message, a warning, or an order:

Examples:

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.
2
a
3
a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio or television in order to produce a sound, picture, or message
4
something that shows that something else exists or is likely to happen:

Examples:

signal that The changing colour of the leaves on the trees is a signal that it will soon be autumn.
5
equipment, especially on the side of a railway or road, often with lights, that tells drivers to stop, continue, or go more slowly:
6
to make a movement, sound, flash, etc. that gives information or tells people what to do:

Examples:

signal something (to someone) Flashing lights on a parked car usually signal a warning (to other drivers).
He signalled left, and turned the lorry slowly.
He was signalling (= giving a signal) with a red flag.
signal for She signalled for help.
[ + that ] She signalled to the cars behind her that they were going the wrong way.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] The children's mother signalled them to be quiet.
[ + to infinitive ] The children's mother signalled to/for them to be quiet.
7
to show that you intend or are ready to do something:

Examples:

[ + that ] The union has signalled that the workers will strike.
The union has signalled the workers' intention to strike.
The death of Chairman Mao signalled (= marked) the end of an era in Chinese history.
8
9
an action, movement, or sound that gives information, a message, a warning, or an order:

Examples:

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.
10
A signal is also a device, often with lights, that shows people or vehicles whether to stop, go, or move carefully.
11
a series of energy waves that carry a sound, picture, or other information:

Examples:

a low-frequency radio signal
12

Examples:

You performed a signal service to our people, and we wish to express our gratitude.
13
to make a movement, sound, etc. that gives information or tells people what to do:

Examples:

[ 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.
14
a sign that something is true or that something is going to happen:

Examples:

a signal to sb It is a signal to the rest of the world that we are serious about global warming.
a signal of sth It was a strong signal of the power now wielded by big institutional investors.
the right/wrong signal
15
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:

Examples:

I couldn't get a signal on my phone.
16
to show that something is going to happen or that you are going to do something:

Examples:

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

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