26984 words

bell

9 definitions • 15 examples
1
an electrical device that makes a ringing sound when you press a button:

Examples:

I stood at the front door and rang the bell several times.
2
a hollow metal object shaped like a cup that makes a ringing sound when hit by something hard, especially a clapper:

Examples:

The church bells rang out to welcome in the New Year.
3
to put a bell or bells on something:

Examples:

They wear traditional dress with bare feet and belled ankles.
He belled their cats in an attempt to stop them killing birds.
a belled cap/sleigh
4
to telephone someone:

Examples:

Bell me when you're ready, OK?
I belled him on his mobile.
She belled Monday morning and told me the news.
5
to swell or curve outwards in a shape like a metal bell:

Examples:

We saw the ship, her sail belling in the wind, the spray bursting across her bows.
She wore a beautiful satin coat that belled out at the back.
6
a hollow, cup-shaped, metal object that makes a ringing sound when a part hanging inside swings against its sides, or when it is hit by any hard object:

Examples:

The school bell was ringing.
7
A bell is also a doorbell.
8
the sound that signals the beginning and end of a period of trading on a stock exchange:

Examples:

after/before the bell The company said after the bell on Wednesday that its quarterly profit rose because of a 36% increase in sales of its software.
Yesterday, all three major American indexes fell immediately after the opening bell.
9
used to describe an occasion when you realize that something is wrong:

Examples:

Soaring costs of oil and gold set alarm bells ringing around the world.

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