Homonym: dial (Gauge)
A "dial" is a circular or semi-circular device used to display information, often found on instruments like clocks, gauges, and radios. It typically features markings or numbers that indicate different values, such as time or temperature, and is often operated by turning a knob or pressing buttons.
In the context of a telephone, a dial refers to the mechanism used to input a phone number. Traditional rotary dials require the user to rotate a numbered disk, while modern push-button dials allow for quicker number entry by pressing buttons corresponding to each digit.