signal
noun /ˈsɪɡnəl/
/ˈsɪɡnəl/
- a movement or sound that you make to give somebody information, instructions, a warning, etc. synonym sign
- a danger/warning/distress signal
- at a signal At an agreed signal they left the room.
- signal to somebody She made an impatient signal to him, but he ignored her.
- signal to do something He thought he had heard the referee's signal to proceed.
- signal for somebody to do something The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building.
- signal (that)… We spotted the scout's signal that four enemy soldiers were coming towards us.
- signal from somebody Wait for the signal from the leader of your group.
- When I give the signal, run!
- (North American English) All I get is a busy signal when I dial his number (= his phone is being used).
- hand signals (= movements that cyclists make with their hands to tell other people that they are going to stop, turn, etc.)
Extra Examples- At a pre-arranged signal, everyone started cheering.
- He had arranged a signal for the band to begin.
- She made a signal for the car to stop.
- The insect's yellow spots act as a warning signal to its predators.
- The brain interprets the signals from the retina as light.
- The nerves carry these signals to the brain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- unmistakable
- agreed
- …
- give (somebody)
- make
- send
- …
- come from something
- indicate something
- at a signal
- on a signal
- signal for
- …
- a piece of equipment that uses different coloured lights to tell drivers to go slower, stop, etc., used especially on railways and roads
- The traffic signals were on red.
- a stop signal
- Delays are occurring as a result of signal failure on the northbound line.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- railroad
- railway
- traffic
- …
- operate
- be on red/green
- be red/green
- fail
- …
- box
- failure
- a series of electrical waves that carry sounds, pictures or messages, for example to a radio, television or mobile phone
- radio signals
- TV signals
- a digital signal
- a high-frequency signal
- a radar signal
- to emit a signal
- to detect/pick up signals
- I couldn't get a signal on my phone.
- The signal is received by three different antennas at slightly different times.
- The satellite is used for transmitting signals around the world.
- signal from something The signal from the transmitter seems to have been boosted.
Extra ExamplesTopics TV, radio and newsb2- It is possible to jam GPS signals in battle.
- The digital signal travels down wires to the server.
- The signal is scrambled into code before it is sent.
- This equipment can detect very low frequency signals.
- a faint signal from the satellite
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- faint
- weak
- strong
- …
- carry
- pass
- relay
- …
- travel
- fade
- intensity
- strength
- signal from
- signal to
- an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that something exists or is likely to happen synonym indication
- signal (that)… The rise in inflation is a clear signal that the government's policies are not working.
- The court has given a strong signal that it disagrees with the government's position.
- signal of something Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.
- Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.
Synonyms signsign- indication
- symptom
- symbol
- indicator
- signal
- sign an event, an action or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:
- Headaches may be a sign of stress.
- indication (rather formal) a remark or sign that shows that something is happening or what somebody is thinking or feeling:
- They gave no indication as to how the work should be done.
- symptom a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that something exists, especially something bad:
- Symptoms include a sore throat.
- The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.
- symbol a person, an object or an event that represents a more general quality or situation:
- The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
- indicator (rather formal) a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing:
- the economic indicators
- signal an event, an action or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:
- Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.
- a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of something
- a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that…
- a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal
- an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator
- an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal
- an outward sign/indication/symbol
- to give a(n) sign/indication/signal
Extra Examples- Interviewers quickly learn to pick up non-verbal signals.
- The remark was interpreted as a signal that their government was ready to return to the peace talks.
- Try to read the signals coming from the patient.
- the signals that can indicate danger
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- unmistakable
- agreed
- …
- give (somebody)
- make
- send
- …
- come from something
- indicate something
- at a signal
- on a signal
- signal for
- …
Word Originnoun late Middle English: from Old French, from medieval Latin signale, neuter of late Latin signalis, from Latin signum ‘mark, token’. The verb dates from the early 19th cent.