Tools: Learn New Words | Secure Password Generator | Startup Tools | PDF Generator

Signal (Noun)

An electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes.

Nouns denoting natural phenomena.

The receiver converts the signal back into sound or visual form for the user to consume.
Radio telescopes are highly sensitive devices designed to detect the faint signal of cosmic radio waves emanating from distant stars.
Modems use digital signals to transmit data through the telephone lines to another computer or internet device.
Digital cameras process the electrical signal from the sensor and use the resulting information to produce a photograph.
Amplifying a weak signal with a large gain does not guarantee the reception of an understandable message if the original signal-to-noise ratio was low.

Any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped".

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.

The driver gave a signal to the pedestrians to cross the road by waving his hand.
The smoke signal from the mountain top was a warning to the villagers of an impending attack.
The pilot received a signal from air traffic control to prepare for landing.
The teacher gave a subtle signal to the student to stop talking by raising her eyebrow.
The flashing light on the dashboard was a signal that the car's oil level was low.

Any incitement to action; "he awaited the signal to start"; "the victory was a signal for wild celebration".

Nouns denoting goals.