Dial tone is a term that refers to a specific sound that is heard when a telephone receiver is lifted. There are various other words and phrases that can be used to convey the same meaning. Some examples include tone, signal, beep, hum, and buzz. These words can also be used to describe other sounds that are similar to a dial tone, such as the sound emitted by a computer modem or fax machine. Whether in everyday conversation or technical jargon, these synonyms provide a diverse and flexible vocabulary for describing the auditory cues associated with communication technology.