dial

1. N-COUNT A dial is the part of a machine or instrument such as a clock or watch which shows you the time or a measurement that has been recorded. 刻度盘

The luminous dial on the clock showed five minutes to seven. 发光的表盘上显示6：55。

2. N-COUNT A dial is a control on a device or piece of equipment which you can move in order to adjust the setting, for example, to select or change the frequency on a radio or the temperature of a heater. (收音机、加热器等的) 调谐钮

He turned the dial on the radio. 他转动着收音机的调谐钮。

3. V-T/V-I If you dial or if you dial a number, you turn the dial or press the buttons on a telephone in order to phone someone. 拨号

He lifted the phone and dialled her number. 他拿起电话，拨她的号码。