carillon

noun

car·​il·​lon ˈker-ə-ˌlän 

-lən, 

ˈka-rə-;

ˈker-ē-ˌän, 

-ˌōn, 

ˈka-rē-;

kə-ˈril-yən

1

a

: a set of fixed chromatically tuned bells sounded by hammers controlled from a keyboard

b

: an electronic instrument imitating a carillon

2

: a composition for the carillon

Examples of carillon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first gateway completed was the carillon, or bell tower, at the intersection of Reading Road, Liberty Street, 14th Street and Interstate 471. —Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2025

It’s also equipped with a carillon mechanism that is activated on the Epiphany and Ascension days; the compartment opens to core people from Nativity scenes and adds a theatrical element to its function. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025

Moonlight carillon tours of Moser Tower will be offered after all performances other than the one on Aug. 19, the release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

In 2000, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation donated a carillon as part of its living memorial program. —arkansasonline.com, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, alteration of Old French quarregnon, modification of Late Latin quaternion-, quaternio set of four — more at quaternion

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for carillon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon

Kids Definition

carillon

noun

car·​il·​lon ˈkar-ə-ˌlän 

-lən

: a set of bells sounded by hammers controlled from a keyboard