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signal.

A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.

6 characters2 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

noun/ˈsɪɡnəl/
  1. A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.

  2. Any variation of a quantity or change in an entity over time that conveys information upon detection.

  3. A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.

  4. An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.

  5. An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person. A railway signal.

  6. An electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time, that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party.

    Internet · TV · usually
    My mobile phone can't get a signal in the railway station.
  7. An action, change or process done to convey information and thus reduce uncertainty.

  8. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.

  9. Useful information, as opposed to noise.

  10. A simple interprocess communication used to notify a process or thread of an occurrence.

    Unix
  11. A signalling interaction between cells

Where this word comes from

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.

verb/ˈsɪɡnəl/
  1. To indicate; to convey or communicate by a signal.

    ambitransitive
    I signalled my acquiescence with a nod.
    He whistled to signal that we should stop.
  2. To communicate with (a person or system) by a signal.

    transitive
    Seeing the flames, he ran to the control room and signalled headquarters.
Where this word comes from

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.

adj/ˈsɪɡnəl/
  1. Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement.

    not-comparable
    a signal exploit; a signal success; a signal act of benevolence
Where this word comes from

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.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.