noun

belfry

BEHLF-ree

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Belfry (noun) means a tower or part of a tower, usually attached to a church, that houses bells. Example: “The bell ringers climbed the narrow stairs to the belfry.”

noun

A tower or part of a tower, usually attached to a church, that houses bells.

"From the belfries far and near the funereal deathbell tolled unceasingly while all around the gloomy precincts rolled the ominous warning of a hundred muffled drums punctuated by the hollow booming of pieces of ordnance." — James Joyce, [The Cyclops] (1922)

"The bell ringers climbed the narrow stairs to the belfry."

How to use belfry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe part of a church tower where the bells hang.

Common mistake

The word originally had nothing to do with "bell" at all — that connection is a historical accident of spelling.

Common pairings

bats in the belfry the church belfry

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: belfries

Test yourself on “belfry” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bell ringers climbed the narrow stairs to the _____.

Etymology

From Old French berfroi, "movable siege tower," itself from a Germanic word related to "barrow" and "peace/protection." The spelling shifted from ber- to bel- because people wrongly linked it to the word "bell."

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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campanile

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “belfry” mean?

The word “belfry” means a tower or part of a tower, usually attached to a church, that houses bells. In plain terms, the part of a church tower where the bells hang.

How do you pronounce “belfry”?

“Belfry” is pronounced BEHLF-ree (/ˈbɛlfɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “belfry” in a sentence?

Here is “belfry” used in a sentence: “The bell ringers climbed the narrow stairs to the belfry.”

What part of speech is “belfry”?

“Belfry” is a noun.

Where does the word “belfry” come from?

The word “belfry” comes from Old French. From Old French berfroi, "movable siege tower," itself from a Germanic word related to "barrow" and "peace/protection." The spelling shifted from ber- to bel- because people wrongly linked it to the word "bell.".

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