Meanings
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1
noun
A sound, gesture, or light used to give information, a warning, or an order.
The teacher raised her hand as a signal for everyone to be quiet.
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2
noun
The electrical waves a radio, phone, or TV picks up to carry sound or pictures.
My phone can't get a signal in the railway station.
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3
verb
To make something known using a gesture, light, or sound.
I signalled my agreement with a nod.
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4
noun
Something that shows a change or event is about to happen.
They awaited the signal to start.
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5
adj
Remarkable or clearly out of the ordinary.
The year saw one signal triumph for the party.
Thesaurus
Common collocations
Etymology
From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s). Doublet of signum and sign.