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
see also:
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
see also:
belled; belling; bells
: to make a resonant bellowing or baying sound
… the wild buck bells from ferny brake …—Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter ScottExamples of bell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Slater, New York Times, 23 May 2026
This top subtly calls back to a 19th-century Spanish flamenco dress, a style traditionally defined by dramatic bell sleeves, voluminous ruffles, and sweeping off-the-shoulder silhouettes.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Stock futures are higher before the bell.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 May 2026
In Braun’s work, there is first the story of the bells themselves, and their importance in European history, culture, and religion.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bell
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Noun
And, as is customary for a new entrant to the exchange, the Enhanced team, including D’Souza, German bitcoin exec Maximilian Martin, who replaced him as Enhanced’s CEO last year, and Kerley were allowed to ring the NYSE’s closing bell on May 8.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 23 May 2026
This top subtly calls back to a 19th-century Spanish flamenco dress, a style traditionally defined by dramatic bell sleeves, voluminous ruffles, and sweeping off-the-shoulder silhouettes.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Stock futures are higher before the bell.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 May 2026
In Braun’s work, there is first the story of the bells themselves, and their importance in European history, culture, and religion.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bell
Cite this Entry
“Bell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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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