First Known Use: 1674
Dictionary
1dot
noun \ˈdät\
Definition of DOT
1
: a small spot : speck
2
: a small round mark: as a (1) : a small point made with a pointed instrument <a dot on the chart marked the ship's position> (2) : a small round mark used in orthography or punctuation <put a dot over the i> b : a centered point used as a multiplication sign (as in 6 · 5 = 30) c (1) : a point after a note or rest in music indicating augmentation of the time value by one half (2) : a point over or under a note indicating that it is to be played staccato
3
: a precise point especially in time <arrived at six on the dot>
4
: a short click or buzz forming a letter or part of a letter (as in the Morse code)
5
: a point used to separate components of an address on the Internet
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DOT
Middle English *dot, from Old English dott head of a boil; akin to Old High German tutta nipple
2dot
verb
: to mark (something) with a dot
: to appear at many different places on the surface of (something)
: to put a small amount of something on different parts of (a surface)
dot·teddot·ting
Full Definition of DOT
transitive verb
1
: to mark with a dot
2
: to intersperse with dots or objects scattered at random <boats dotting the lake>
intransitive verb
: to make a dot
— dot·ter noun
See dot defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DOT
circa 1740
3dot
noun \ˈdȯt\
DOT
abbreviation
Definition of DOT
Department of Transportation
DOTTED Defined for Kids
1dot
noun \ˈdät\
Definition of DOT for Kids
1
: a small point, mark, or spot
2
: a certain point in time <noon on the dot>
3
: a short click forming a letter or part of a letter (as in Morse code)
2dot
verb
dot·teddot·ting
Definition of DOT for Kids
: to mark with or as if with small spots <Dot your i's.>
Medical Dictionary
dot
noun \ˈdät\
Learn More About DOT
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up dot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).