signal

sig|nal1 [ `sıgnəl ] noun count ***

▸ 1 movement/sound

▸ 2 sign about future

▸ 3 electronic information

▸ 4 for controlling traffic

▸ 5 information sent

1. ) a movement or sound made by someone that has a special meaning to another person:

signal to: He gave a signal to his driver to carry on.

at a signal: At the prearranged signal, we all jumped up and shouted Surprise!

do something as a signal (of something): They waved a flag as a signal of distress.

mixed/conflicting signals (=signals that have different meanings): She knew she was sending him mixed signals.

give (someone) a signal: We waited for them to give us the signal to move.

2. ) a fact, event, or action that shows what someone intends to do or shows what is likely to happen: SIGN:

signal of: They had ignored the strong signals of an approaching economic crisis.

give/send a signal: In terms of their personal relationships, teachers have to be very careful not to send students the wrong signals.

signal for/to: The election was a signal for the party to rethink its strategies.

read the signals (=understand their meaning correctly): When she told him she was leaving, Bill wasn't surprised he had read the signals.

3. ) TECHNICAL pictures, sound, or other information sent by one piece of electronic equipment and received by another one:

radio signals

I've called several times, but I keep getting a busy signal.

carry a signal: The copper wire carries the electrical signals.

4. ) a piece of equipment with colored lights on it that tells the driver of a vehicle to stop, go, or slow down:

The signal was green.

5. ) information sent from one thing or person to another using a piece of equipment or an organized system:

sailors practicing their semaphore signals

=> SMOKE SIGNAL

signal

sig|nal 2 [ `sıgnəl ] (present participle sig|nal|ing or sig|nal|ling; past tense and past participle sig|naled or sig|nalled) verb **

1. ) intransitive or transitive to make a movement or sound that has a special meaning to another person:

The cyclist signaled and turned right.

signal that: He turned on his flashlight to signal that he was ready.

signal someone to do something: The driver signaled her to cross the road.

signal to someone: He signaled frantically across the room to his wife.

2. ) transitive to show that something is happening or will happen:

The next battle signaled a major turning point in the conflict.

signal that: The new tax signaled that Congress was serious about the environment.

3. ) transitive if you signal a quality or your feelings, you show what you intend to do about something:

The terrorists have signaled their willingness to negotiate with the security forces.

Both parties have signaled their determination to win.

signal

sig|nal 3 [ `sıgnəl ] adjective VERY FORMAL

especially important and noticeable:

a signal honor