belfry
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.”
How to use belfry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe part of a church tower where the bells hang.
The word originally had nothing to do with "bell" at all — that connection is a historical accident of spelling.
Word forms
belfries plural
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."
Synonyms
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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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