1
a
: a hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck
b
: doorbell
2
a
: the sounding of a bell as a signal
b
: a stroke of a bell (as on shipboard) to indicate the time
also
: the time so indicated
c
: a half hour period of a watch on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bell see Ship's Bells Table
3
: something having the form of a bell: such as
a
: the corolla of a flower
b
: a bell-shaped organ or part (such as the dewlap of a moose)
especially
: the bell- or saucer-shaped, largely gelatinous structure that forms the main part of the body of most jellyfish : umbrella entry 1 sense 3
c
: the part of the capital of a column between the abacus and neck molding
d
: the flared end of a wind instrument
e
: the open mouth of a nozzle (such as of the exhaust of a jet engine)
The heating was so intense … that the gas went rushing out the tail of the engine at 30,000 feet per second, or twice the speed at which exhaust leaves the bell of a conventional engine.—
Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger4
a
: a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars or tubes that when struck give out tones resembling bells
—usually used in plural
b
belled; belling; bells
1
: to provide with a bell
2
: to flare the end of (something, such as a tube) into the shape of a bell
: to take the form of a bell : flare
belled; belling; bells
: to make a resonant bellowing or baying sound
the wild buck bells from ferny brake—Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott
Phrases
get/have one's bell rung
US and Canada, sports, informal
: to be hit on the head : to suffer a concussion
He had his bell rung on a blitz, and a short time later he was taken to Divine Providence Hospital.—Ralph Wiley
Ralph Wiley
British, informal
: to make a telephone call to
Maybe Cowell can give him a bell towards the end of his marathon broadcast—that would certainly wake him up.—Mark Jefferies
Mark Jefferies
: to do a daring or risky deed
Examples of bell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Many original details remain intact, from hardwood floors and clawfoot tubs to the bell system once used by household staff.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025
General Mills reports before the opening bell on Wednesday.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
For travelers seeking tangible, timely benefits—without the bells, whistles, or hidden catches—the Escape could be the card that actually earns its keep.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bell
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The proposal set off alarm bells in the Norwegian media, with unverified claims that Verrett was blackmailing Louise.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Many original details remain intact, from hardwood floors and clawfoot tubs to the bell system once used by household staff.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025
General Mills reports before the opening bell on Wednesday.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
For travelers seeking tangible, timely benefits—without the bells, whistles, or hidden catches—the Escape could be the card that actually earns its keep.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bell
Cite this Entry
“Bell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bell
1 of 2 noun1
: a hollow usually cup-shaped metallic device that makes a ringing sound when struck
2
: the stroke or sound of a bell that tells the hour
3
: a half hour period of a watch on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bell
4
: something (as a flower or the mouth of a trumpet) shaped like a bell
bell
2 of 2 verb1
: to provide with a bell
bell a cat
2
: to take the form of a bell : flare
Geographical Definition
Bell
geographical name
city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 35,477
Biographical Definition
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