# signaling

/ˈsɪɡnəɫɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/signaling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sending messages

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the act of sending a signal or message to someone or something.

For teachers: the act or process of transmitting a signal, often in a technical or systematic context.

- The ship's signaling was clear enough for the coast guard to see.
- The railway's signaling system was upgraded to prevent collisions during periods of heavy fog or low visibility.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to a system or process.

### 2. biological communication

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

the way cells or parts of the body send chemical messages to each other.

For teachers: the biochemical process by which cells communicate with each other, typically via hormones or other signaling molecules.

- Scientists are studying how cell signaling affects the growth of the brain.
- Disruptions in insulin signaling can lead to significant metabolic disorders, as the body fails to regulate glucose levels effectively.

Usage: Commonly appears in the phrase 'cell signaling'.

### 3. giving a sign

verb · CEFR B1 · American English

showing or giving a sign to someone.

For teachers: the present participle of 'signal', indicating the act of making a sign or gesture to convey information.

- He was signaling for a taxi by waving his arm in the air.
- By signaling his intention to resign early, the CEO allowed the board ample time to vet potential internal candidates.

## Examples

- The bird uses bright feathers as a form of signaling to attract mates.
- Economists often discuss how a university degree acts as signaling to employers that a candidate is disciplined and capable.
- In evolutionary biology, honest signaling requires that the signal be costly enough that it cannot be easily faked by less fit individuals within the population.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.