
A wall clock, with three dials
A 'dial' is generally a flat surface, circular or rectangular, with numbers or similar markings on it, used for displaying the setting or output of a
timepiece,
radio,
clock,
watch, or
measuring instrument. See also "
dial indicator".
The term may also refer to a movable 'control knob' used to change the settings of the controlled instrument, e.g., to change the frequency of the radio.
See also:
dial.