1 the round part of a clock, watch, control on a machine, etc that shows a measurement of time, amount, temperature, etc 钟面;表面;(仪表等的)刻度盘,标度盘:
a dial for showing air pressure显示气压的刻度盘
2 the round control on a radio, cooker, etc that you turn to change sth (收音机、炉子等的)调节控制器
3 the round part with holes in it on some older telephones that you turn to call a number 电话拨号盘
dial²
/ˈdaɪəl ||; ˈdaɪəl/verb
[I,T] (dialling;dialled (US 美) dialing;dialed) to push the buttons or move the dial on a telephone in order to call a telephone number 拨(电话):
You can now dial direct to Singapore.现在可以直拨电话到新加坡。 [T] to dial the wrong number拨错电话号码