bell

Universal Words noun 1 a hollow metal object, often shaped like a cup, that makes a ringing sound when hit by a small piece of metal inside it; the sound that it makes: A peal of church bells rang out in the distance. * a bicycle bell * His voice came down the line as clear as a bell. * a bell tower * a bell-shaped flower * wedding bells * The dancers wore bells on their ankles. seealsoHANDBELL 2 an electrical device which makes a ringing sound when a button on it is pushed; the sound that it makes, used as a signal or a warning: Ring the bell to see if they're in. * The bell's ringing! * The bell went for the end of the lesson. * An alarm bell went off. * Warning bells started ringing in her head as she sensed that something was wrong. IDIOMS give sb a bell (BrE, informal) to call sb by telephone moreatALARMn., PULLv., RINGv., SOUNDadj.