doorbell
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɔːbɛl/
US
- /ˈdɔrˌbɛl/
Description
- A button by an entrance
- signals a visitor
- makes a chime
Imagine you're waiting for a package, or your best friend is coming over for tea. Suddenly, ding-dong! That sound tells you someone is outside. A doorbell is the small device near a door that lets a visitor announce that they have arrived.
In the past, these were often simple mechanical bells. Today, most are electronic, and some even include a camera or speaker. You ring it so the person inside knows you are there. If it does not work, a guest may wait outside for a long time, and a delivery may be missed.
A doorbell is a signaling device fixed near a door or gate. A visitor uses it to let people inside know that someone is at the entrance. It is a polite way to announce your arrival without knocking loudly, shouting, or simply walking in.
At first, these devices were mechanical. Someone might pull a chain or press a simple button, which made a bell ring inside the house. Later, electric models became common and gave homes a clearer and more reliable signal. Now, many modern versions can do more than make a sound. Some have cameras, motion sensors, and two-way audio, so the person inside can see and speak to the visitor.
The word is direct in meaning: it refers to the bell or button connected with an entrance. The action of ringing it can also suggest different feelings. A quick, repeated ring may show urgency, while a soft or hesitant ring may suggest that the visitor feels unsure or does not want to disturb anyone.
Beyond its basic job, the doorbell stands at the meeting point between the private space of a home and the outside world. Unlike the word "bell," which can appear in figurative expressions, "doorbell" is usually used in a literal way. Whether it is a simple chime in an old house or a smart system that sends a phone alert, it remains an everyday part of welcoming guests, receiving deliveries, and keeping a home secure.
Examples
- 1
Everyday interruption
Someone rang the doorbell just as we sat down to eat.
- 2
Missed sound
I didn't hear the doorbell because I was upstairs.
- 3
Household request
Can you answer the doorbell? My hands are full.
- 4
Prank
The kids thought it was funny to press the doorbell and run away.
- 5
Home technology
We installed a video doorbell so we can see who is outside.
Meaning
video doorbell
a doorbell with a camera
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- doorbellnoun
Forms
- doorbellspluralnoun