1
a
: the loud ringing of bells
the peal of wedding bells
b
: a complete set of changes (see change entry 2 sense 6) on a given number of bells
c
: a set of bells tuned to the tones of the major (see major entry 1 sense 7a) scale for change ringing
2
: a loud sound or succession of sounds
peals of laughter
peals of thunder
Examples of peal in a Sentence
Noun
the peal of wedding bells
Verb
the village bells pealed every hour in commemoration
Recent Examples on the Web
Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Amal wore a strapless white Tamara Ralph Haute Couture gown which was draped in peals from top to bottom, with some wrapped around her arms below the shoulder.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Si Liberman, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025
After the funeral, St. Peter's great bells pealed in mourning.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peal
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Noun
Amid grills cooking savory barbecue, bubbles blowing from an ice cream truck, face painting and peals of laughter from kids in a nearby bouncy house, Justine Mosely Stephens was struggling not to tear up.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Amal wore a strapless white Tamara Ralph Haute Couture gown which was draped in peals from top to bottom, with some wrapped around her arms below the shoulder.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
Sirens blared, car horns honked and church bells pealed.
—Si Liberman, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025
After the funeral, St. Peter's great bells pealed in mourning.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peal
Cite this Entry
“Peal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peal. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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