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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | signale, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin signalis 'of a sign', from Latin signum; SIGN1 |
1 a sound or action that you make in order to give information to someone or tell them to do something 
At a pre-arranged signal the lights went out.
signal (for somebody) to do something When she got up from the table, it was obviously the signal for us to leave.
When she got up from the table, it was obviously the signal for us to leave.At a pre-arranged signal the lights went out.2 an event or action that shows what someone feels, what exists, or what is likely to happen A red flag is often used as a danger signal.
A red flag is often used as a danger signal.3TCB a series of light waves, sound waves etc that carry an image, sound, or message, for example in radio or television
send (out)/transmit/emit a signal (to somebody) This new pay-TV channel sends signals via satellite to cable companies. In the 1970s it was illegal to transmit fax signals via the public telephone system.
This new pay-TV channel sends signals via satellite to cable companies.In the 1970s it was illegal to transmit fax signals via the public telephone system. receive/pick up/detect a signal a small antenna which receives radio signals The Coast Guard picked up a distress signal from a freighter 50 miles out at sea.
a small antenna which receives radio signalsThe Coast Guard picked up a distress signal from a freighter 50 miles out at sea.4TTT a piece of equipment with coloured lights, used on a railway to tell train drivers whether they can continue or must stop : a stop signal
a stop signal