bell

noun (1)

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\ ˈbel

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 below

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

US & Canada, informal, sports

: 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

give (someone) a bell

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