a hollow metal object, typically in the shape of a deep inverted cup widening at the lip, that sounds a clear musical note when struck, especially by means of a clapper inside

the church bells tolled

a bell tinkled as he went in the shop

the bell chamber of the church spire

a bell-shaped object or part of something

a musical instrument consisting of a set of metal tubes of different lengths, suspended in a frame and played by being struck with a hammer

(preceded by a numeral) the time as indicated every half hour of a watch by the striking of the ship's bell one to eight times

at five bells in the forenoon of June 11

provide with a bell or bells

the young men were belling and hobbling the horses before releasing them

make a ringing sound likened to that of a bell

the organ was belling away

spread outwards like the lip of a bell

her shirt belled out behind

the characteristic cry of a stag or buck at rutting time

(of a stag or buck) make a cry at rutting time