1
: sign, indication
2
a
: an act, event, or watchword that has been agreed on as the occasion of concerted action
b
: something that incites to action
3
: something (such as a sound, gesture, or object) that conveys notice or warning
4
a
: an object used to transmit or convey information beyond the range of human voice
b
: the sound or image conveyed in telegraphy, telephony, radio, radar, or television
c
: a detectable physical quantity or impulse (such as a voltage, current, or magnetic field strength) by which messages or information can be transmitted
signaled or signalled; signaling or signalling
ˈsig-nə-liŋ 
1
: to notify by a signal
signal the fleet to turn back
2
a
: to communicate or indicate by or as if by signals
signaled the end of an era
b
: to constitute a characteristic feature of (a meaningful linguistic form)
: to make or send a signal
signaler
noun
or signaller
Synonyms
Examples of signal in a Sentence
Noun
He likes her but he is sending the wrong signals with his constant teasing.
The teacher gave us the signal to finish what we were working on and hand in our tests.
Faulty wiring in the train station caused a signal to malfunction.
Verb
Robins signal the arrival of spring.
The election results surely signal the start of a new era.
A lock on the suitcase might signal that there's something of value inside.
Did he signal before he made the left turn?
They signaled at me to come over to their table.
He signaled us that it was time to begin the meeting.
The umpire signaled a strike.
Adjective
Is he worthy of such a signal honor?
the Louisiana Purchase is cited by many historians as one of the most signal events in American history
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Law enforcement officials would need a warrant to interfere with the radio signals of a drone, according to Michelle L.D. Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The recall was issued due to potential contamination with listeria, which signals a high level of health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Nezir Sinani, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024
Rush needed to get something going for Dallas after an opening-drive fake punt was thwarted by Houston, and the signal caller threw an interception on the team’s second drive.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for signal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
As of September 2023, pilots whose drones require an FAA registration number are also required to broadcast Remote ID, which refers to the ability of a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a signal.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Law enforcement officials would need a warrant to interfere with the radio signals of a drone, according to Michelle L.D. Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
The orders to evacuate signaled a remarkable turn for Mr. al-Assad, whose government Iran has backed throughout Syria’s 13-year civil war, and for Iran, which has used Syria as a key route to supply weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The recall was issued due to potential contamination with listeria, which signals a high level of health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Any re-entry before Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is fully restored, war crimes perpetrators are brought to justice, and reparations are addressed will not only tarnish their reputation but also signal corporate complicity in Russia’s ongoing aggression.
—Nezir Sinani, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024
Rush needed to get something going for Dallas after an opening-drive fake punt was thwarted by Houston, and the signal caller threw an interception on the team’s second drive.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for signal
Dictionary Entries Near signal
Cite this Entry
“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
signal
1 of 3 noun
sig·nal
ˈsig-nᵊl
1
: an act, event, or word that serves to start some action
2
: a sound or motion of a part of the body made to give warning or command
3
: an object placed to give notice or warning
a traffic signal
4
a
: the message, sound, or effect transmitted in electronic communication (as radio or television)
b
: a radio wave or electric current that transmits a message or effect (as in radio or television)
signal
2 of 3 verb
signaled or signalled; signaling or signalling
-nə-liŋ
1
: to notify by a signal
2
: to communicate by or as if by signals
signaler
noun
signal
3 of 3 adjective1
: unusually great
a signal honor
a signal achievement
2
: used in signaling
a signal light
signally
adverb
-nə-lē
Etymology
Noun
Middle English signal "signal, sign," derived from Latin signalis "of a sign," from earlier signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share