Definition of dial in

The phrase "dial in" initially appeared in the telecommunications industry in the 1960s to denote connecting to a remote computer system or network through a modem by dialing a specific phone number. It transliterated the physical action of rotating the dial on a rotary telephone to establish a connection over telecommunication lines. The phrase gradually extended its usage to describe joining a virtual conference or meeting through a teleconferencing system via dialing a designated phone number and following prompts to log in. Over time, "dial in" also evolved to include other modes of remote communication, such as accessing digital services via the internet by entering login credentials or connecting to a virtual private network (VPN). In essence, "dial in" conveys the tactile process of establishing connectivity between people and devices, regardless of their physical location.