The word "bell" can have several different definitions depending on the context in which it is used. Here is a breakdown of each definition:

1. A hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck. For example, a church bell or a bike bell.

2. The sounding of a bell as a signal. For example, the ringing of a church bell to indicate the start of service.

3. A stroke of a bell (as on shipboard) to indicate the time. For example, the time indicated by the bells on a ship's clock. This can also be referred to as a "half hour period of a watch on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bell".

4. Something having the form of a bell: such as the corolla of a flower or the bell-shaped organ or part of an animal's body, especially the bell- or saucer-shaped, largely gelatinous structure that forms the main part of the body of most jellyfish (this refers to the umbrella entry sense 3).

5. The part of the capital of a column between the abacus and neck molding. This refers to the architectural element in ancient Egypt and Greece, where it was often used to represent the god Osiris.

6. The flared end of a wind instrument, such as a horn or trumpet.

7. The open mouth of a nozzle (such as of the exhaust of a jet engine). This refers to the technical feature of many modern vehicles and machines, where air is directed through a nozzle for various purposes (e.g., propulsion, cooling, or spraying).

The intense heating caused the gas to rush out at 30,000 feet per second, twice the speed at which exhaust leaves the bell of a conventional engine. This was the sound of the wild buck bells from Ferny Brake, heard by Sir Walter Scott. The term "bell" has multiple meanings and can refer to a metal instrument consisting of bars or tubes that produce tones resembling bells when struck. It can also be used in a figurative sense, as in "to take the form of a bell." Bells can also refer to an animal's call, as seen in the phrase "wild buck bells." In American and Canadian slang, getting one's bell rung means being hit on the head, often causing a concussion. On the other hand, giving someone a bell is a British informal way of making a telephone call.

Perhaps Cowell should give the cat a bell at the end of his marathon broadcast. That would certainly wake him up. —Mark Jefferies, The Economist

bell the cat: To do a daring or risky deed

Examples of bell

In a sentence

The following examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Noun

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images McDonald’s is expected to report its third-quarter earnings before the bell on Tuesday. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC

On Tuesday, McDonald's Corp. earned $3.23 per share, which was higher than Wall Street's estimate of $3.21 per share. Despite the strong earnings report, shares of McDonald's were essentially flat before the opening bell. The company cited one-time items including the costs associated with acquiring the McDonald's business in Israel for its strong performance.

In other entertainment news, Zain Jaffer at Forbes notes that "bell bottoms, long playing (LP) albums, film cameras and others were deemed to be out of fashion" only to be refreshed and reintroduced into the market. This serves as a reminder that trends often cycle back into popularity over time.

Meanwhile, Deadline reports on another event that signals the start of Oscar season: the Academy Awards ceremony is typically held just after Thanksgiving. The timing of this year's ceremony will likely help sound the opening bell for what will undoubtedly be a competitive and exciting season for awards show nominees and winners.

Bell

Definition of bell: a small metal or plastic object that makes a ringing sound when struck, as by a finger or other hard object. The first known use of the word bell dates back to before the 12th century in Middle English, where it was defined in the sense of a metallic instrument that produces a resonant sound. The verb form of bell is derived from the Old English word bellan , which means to roar , most likely related to Old English bellan , meaning bellow. Bells were used throughout history to signal warnings, call people to prayer, and mark important events. Examples of their many uses include signaling time for ships at sea, ringing church bells to mark the beginning or end of religious services, and announcing sports events like basketball games and football matches. As technology has advanced, bells have become smaller and more sophisticated, with electronic bells being developed in the 1970s. Today, they can even be found on mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The bell , also called the \"bell \", is a common metal object used to make a ringing sound when struck. The term "bell" can refer to a number of different types of objects, including the device itself, as well as the sound it produces. It is often used as a symbol in literature and art, as well as in everyday language. In addition to its practical uses, the bell has also been used symbolically over the years. For example, the bell may represent the start of a new beginning, or the end of an old one. There are many different styles of bells, each with its own unique features and characteristics. One of the most popular styles of bell is the carillon, which consists of several bells arranged in a row and played together by trained operators. The carillon is often found in churches and other religious buildings, where it can be used to mark the hours of the day or to accompany religious services. In addition to its religious uses, the bell has also been used in other contexts. For example, it may be used to signal important events or to mark time in ships or other transportation vehicles. Some people even use bells as part of their daily routines, such as setting an alarm clock that plays a soothing bell-like sound. Overall, the bell is a versatile and enduring object that has played an important role in human history and culture for centuries. Whether used for practical purposes or as a symbol of something greater, the bell remains a powerful and meaningful presence in our world today.

Alexander Graham Bell (April 23, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was an American inventor and engineer who is best known for devising the first practical telephone. He was born in Scotland but became a naturalized American citizen in 1882. Bell's invention, which he initially called the "telegraphophone" or "speaking telegraph", revolutionized long-distance communication by allowing people to speak with one another over great distances. Bell filed his first patent application for his work on February 3, 1876; this marked the beginning of the modern telecommunications industry.

Bell's telephone was invented in response to a problem that had been faced by Alexander Watson, one of Bell's colleagues at the New York Academy of Technology. As early as 1875, Watson had experimented with transmitting human speech over the telephone wire, but he had been unable to do so successfully. In December 1876, when Bell met Watson for the second time, he asked Watson to repeat his words into a microphone connected to a receiver. Bell then used this information to construct a device that transmitted sound over the wire from one end to the other. The resulting machine consisted of a metal box containing several condenser wires and a magnetic coil. When someone spoke into a receiver located on one end of the box, the sound waves were transformed into electrical signals that traveled through the condenser wires and were picked up by a similar set of wires located on the other end. The receiver then converted these electrical signals back into sound waves, producing what was essentially the first functioning telephone.

Bell's invention quickly caught on, and within two years he had established a working prototype. By 1878, he had begun selling his devices to customers. However, it would be almost thirty years before telephone technology advanced enough to make them widely available. In addition to creating a new field of communication, Bell's invention also led to numerous other innovations in telecommunications, including cablegrams (early radio transmissions), radio broadcasting, and television. In recognition of his achievements, Bell was awarded numerous honors throughout his lifetime; he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1901 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963.