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noun

doorbell

DAW-behl

Doorbell (noun) means a button or device by an entrance that rings or chimes to alert people inside that someone is at the door. Example: “The doorbell rang just as she sat down to eat.”

noun
1
A button or device by an entrance that rings or chimes to alert people inside that someone is at the door.
"The doorbell rang just as she sat down to eat."
verb
1
(US politics) To go door to door canvassing, ringing bells to talk to residents.
"Volunteers doorbelled the whole neighborhood before the election."

How to use doorbell

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe button you press at someone's front door, or (in campaigning) to canvass house by house.

Common pairings
ring the doorbell doorbell camera

Word forms

doorbelled past tense, doorbells plural, doorbells singular

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The _____ rang just as she sat down to eat.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of "door" and "bell."

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “doorbell” mean?

The word “doorbell” means a button or device by an entrance that rings or chimes to alert people inside that someone is at the door. In plain terms, the button you press at someone's front door, or (in campaigning) to canvass house by house.

How do you pronounce “doorbell”?

“Doorbell” is pronounced DAW-behl (/ˈdɔɹ.bɛl/ in IPA).

How do you use “doorbell” in a sentence?

Here is “doorbell” used in a sentence: “The doorbell rang just as she sat down to eat.”

What part of speech is “doorbell”?

Depending on how it is used, “doorbell” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “doorbell” have?

“Doorbell” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a button or device by an entrance that rings or chimes to alert people inside that someone is at the door.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial