Definitions of dial:

• noun:   the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
• noun:   a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called
• noun:   the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments
• noun:   the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning
• verb:   choose by means of a dial

  Example: "Dial a telephone number"

• verb:   operate a dial to select a telephone number

  Example: "You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial"

• name:  A surname (rare: 1 in 25000 families; popularity rank in the U.S.: #3088)