\ ˈbel
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Definition of bell
(Entry 1 of 6)
1a
: a hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck
b
: doorbell
2a
: 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
4a
: a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars or tubes that when struck give out tones resembling bells
—usually used in plural
b
: glockenspiel
get/have one's bell rung
give (someone) a bell
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
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
bell
verb (1)
belled; belling; bells
Definition of bell (Entry 2 of 6)
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
bell the cat
: to do a daring or risky deed
bell
verb (2)
belled; belling; bells
Definition of bell (Entry 3 of 6)
: to make a resonant bellowing or baying sound
the wild buck bells from ferny brake— Sir Walter Scott
bell
noun (2)Bell
biographical name
\ ˈbel
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Definition of Bell (Entry 5 of 6)
Alexander Graham 1847–1922 American (Scottish-born) inventor
Bell
geographical name
\ ˈbel
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Definition of Bell (Entry 6 of 6)
city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 35,477
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Cite this Entry
“Bell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell. Accessed 24 Jan. 2022.
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More Definitions for bell
bell
noun
\ ˈbel
\
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Kids Definition of bell
1
: a hollow metallic device that is shaped somewhat like a cup and makes a ringing sound when struck
2
: doorbell
3
: the stroke or sound of a bell that tells the hour
4
: the time indicated by the stroke of a bell
5
: a half-hour period of watch on shipboard
6
: something shaped like a bell
the bell of a trumpet
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Time Traveler for bell
The first known use of bell was before the 12th century
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