Definition of sundial Sundial

/sʌˈndajˌl/ - [sundayl] - sun•di•al

We found 6 definitions of sundial from 6 different sources.

What does sundial mean?

Plural: sundials

sundial - timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial

horologe, timepiece, timekeeper a measuring instrument or device for keeping time

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sundial (Noun)
A simple timekeeping device in which the shadow cast by a vertical pole or plate the gnomon is used to indicate the time of day.

sundial (n.)
An instrument to show the time of day by means of the shadow of a gnomon, or style, on a plate.

A sundial shows the current solar time during the day. It does this because the sun appears to move through the sky. At different times in the day when the sun is shining, a shadow is cast in different places on the dial. A person marks the dial with the time at a certain shadow. This lets users easily see the time. There are a few commonly seen designs, such as the 'ordinary' or standard garden sundial. However, sundials can be designed for any surface where a fixed object casts a predictable shadow.

Ancient Egypt had sundials. Other cultures developed them further, including the Greeks and Romans.