<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a plate, disk, face, or other surface containing markings or figures upon which the time of day is indicated by hands, pointers, or shadows, as of a clock or sundial.</li><li>a plate or disk with markings or figures for indicating or registering some measurement or number, as of pressure, number of revolutions, the frequency to which a radio is tuned, etc., usually by means of a pointer.</li><li>a rotatable plate, disk, or knob used for regulating a mechanism, making and breaking electrical connections, etc., as in tuning a radio or television station in or out.</li><li>a rotatable plate or disk on a telephone, fitted with finger holes that are marked with letters or numbers, used in making calls through an automatic switchboard.</li><li>any mechanism on the face of a telephone by which the caller places a call, as push buttons.</li><li>a compass used for underground surveying in mining.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to enter or input (a number) on a telephone, as by means of a touchscreen, push buttons, or a rotary dial.</li><li>to make a telephone call to: You can dial the Telehealth hotline for advice from a nurse.</li><li>to regulate, select, or tune in by means of a dial, as on a radio: She reached over to dial an FM station.</li><li>to indicate or register on or as if on a dial.</li><li>to measure with or as if with a dial.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>(of a telephone) having a rotary dial mechanism.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to obtain, reach, or contact by telephone: Now's your chance to dial up Chicago and do some business.</li><li>to access a computer, the internet, or another network by dialing a telephone number.</li><li>to increase the level of; intensify: I used cayenne, garlic, oregano, thyme, and pepper to dial up the flavor.</li><li>to reduce the level of; diminish: Such open threats of military action make it more difficult to dial down tensions.</li></ul>