Bell Meaning, Examples, and Common Collocations

Meaning 1：ringing object (bell)

bell 🔊

/bel/

A hollow metal object, often shaped like a cup, that makes a clear ringing sound when you hit it.

Close-up of a classic bronze church bell hanging in a stone tower

ringing object 🔊

➕

/ˈrɪŋɪŋ ˈɒbdʒɪkt/

A hollow metal object, typically cup-shaped, that produces a clear ringing sound when struck, often used in churches, schools, or as a signal device.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'belle', of Germanic origin, cognate with Dutch 'bel' and German 'bellen' (to bark).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine the word 'bell' sounds like 'belle' (French for beautiful). The beautiful sound of a bell rings in your mind.

📖 Example

Every morning, the bell in the old church tower rings to start the day. 🔊 Every morning, the bell in the old church tower rings to start the day.

🔗 Collocations

bell tower – a tall structure that houses one or more bells

ring a bell – to cause a bell to sound; also an idiom meaning to sound familiar

door bell – a bell at the entrance of a building that rings when pressed

🔄 Synonyms

chime (n.) – a bell or a set of bells that produce a musical sound

gong (n.) – a flat metal disc that produces a resonant sound when struck

tocsin (n.) – an alarm bell or a warning sound

🚫 Antonyms

silence (n.) – the complete absence of sound; opposite of a bell's ringing

stillness (n.) – the state of being quiet and motionless; devoid of bell sounds

🌱 Derivatives

bellboy (n.) – a hotel employee who carries luggage for guests

bellwether (n.) – a person or thing that leads or indicates trends

belled (adj.) – having a bell or bells attached

📖 Cultural Story

Bells have been used in churches since the Middle Ages to signal time and call worshippers. The idiom 'ring a bell' means to sound familiar, and 'bell the cat' refers to taking a risky action for the group.