bell
behl
Bell (noun) means a hollow metal instrument, often shaped like a cup, that rings when struck. Example: “The church bell rang out across the valley at noon.”
noun
1
A hollow metal instrument, often shaped like a cup, that rings when struck.
"The church bell rang out across the valley at noon."
"Please ring the bell when you want the bus to stop."
"A small brass bell hung above the shop door."
verb
1
To attach a bell to something.
"Someone suggested they bell the cat so it couldn't sneak up on the birds."
"The farmer belled each cow so he could find them in the fog."
"They belled the goats so they could hear where the animals wandered."
2
To flare out or take on a bell-like shape.
"The skirt belled out as she spun around."
"The end of the trumpet bells out wide to carry the sound."
"His trousers bell at the ankle in the old-fashioned style."
How to use bell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hollow object that rings when struck, or to give something a bell-like shape.
Common pairings
ring a bell
bell curve
bell the cat
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Word forms
- Plural
- bells
- Third person singular
- bells
- Past tense
- belled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The church _____ rang out across the valley at noon.
Etymology
From Old English belle, related to Germanic words for "bell" across Dutch, German, and the Scandinavian languages.
Related words
Rhymes for bell
See all rhymes for bell →Frequently asked questions
What does “bell” mean?
The word “bell” means a hollow metal instrument, often shaped like a cup, that rings when struck. In plain terms, a hollow object that rings when struck, or to give something a bell-like shape.
How do you pronounce “bell”?
“Bell” is pronounced behl (/bɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bell” in a sentence?
Here is “bell” used in a sentence: “The church bell rang out across the valley at noon.”
What part of speech is “bell”?
Depending on how it is used, “bell” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bell” come from?
The word “bell” comes from Old English. From Old English belle, related to Germanic words for "bell" across Dutch, German, and the Scandinavian languages.
Is “bell” a common word?
“Bell” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bell” have?
“Bell” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hollow metal instrument, often shaped like a cup, that rings when struck.
How does a bell make sound?
When a bell is struck — by a swinging clapper inside, a hammer, or a hand — the metal vibrates rapidly. Those vibrations push against the surrounding air and travel to our ears as sound. A bell's cup shape lets it resonate, which is why the note rings on and fades slowly.
What are the types of bells?
Bells come in many forms: large church and tower bells rung for services, small handbells, doorbells, school bells, sleigh bells and cowbells. Some are struck by an internal clapper, others by an outside hammer or an electric mechanism, but all share the same job of producing a clear, ringing sound.
What is a bell traditionally made of?
Most traditional bells are cast from bell metal, a form of bronze that is an alloy of roughly four parts copper to one part tin. This mix is prized because it is hard, durable and resonates well, giving a rich, long-lasting tone. Smaller or modern bells may use brass, steel or other metals.
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