noun
sundial
SUHN-deye-uhl
noun
1
A device that tells the time by the shadow a rod or plate casts as the sun moves.
"An old stone sundial stands in the middle of the garden."
"The sundial only works on sunny days, of course."
How to Use Sundial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn ancient way of telling time using sunlight and a shadow.
Word Forms
sundials plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “sundial”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
An old stone _____ stands in the middle of the garden.
Etymology
From sun plus dial — the word dial was later adapted for clock faces too.