belfry

American  

[bel-free] / ˈbɛl fri /

noun

belfries plural

1. a bell tower, either attached to a church or other building or standing apart.

2. the part of a steeple or other structure in which a bell is hung.

3. a frame of timberwork that holds or encloses a bell.

4. Slang. head; mind.

   a belfry full of curious notions.

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idioms

1. have bats in one's belfry. bat.

belfry British  

/ ˈbɛlfrɪ /

noun

1. the part of a tower or steeple in which bells are hung

2. a tower or steeple Compare campanile

3. the timber framework inside a tower or steeple on which bells are hung

4. (formerly) a movable tower for attacking fortifications

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belfry More Idioms  

1. see bats in one's belfry.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• belfries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of belfry

1225–75; Middle English belfray, apparently blend of earlier berfray (< Middle French < Germanic ) and Medieval Latin belfredus, dissimilated variant of berefredus < Germanic; compare Middle High German ber ( c ) frit, equivalent to berc defense, protection, refuge (cognate with Old English gebeorg; see harbor) + frit peace, (place of ) safety (cognate with Old English frith )

Explanation

A belfry is a part of a tall tower or steeple that holds bells. Those bells are loud — you would not want to be up in the belfry when they start ringing at noon! A typical belfry is at the top of a church steeple. It's open on all sides so the sound of the ringing bells can escape — if you look up, you can see the large bells through the openings in the belfry. The word comes from roots meaning "to protect" and "peace," and the original meaning was "wooden watch tower." These ancient belfries held watchmen, but also warning bells. The phrase "bats in the belfry" describes someone who's quite eccentric.

Example Sentences

He was beaten by Phillip Price, the No. 119 player in the world, in a one-point loss at The Belfry in 2002.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2023

That was in 1993 at The Belfry, when Ryder Cup rookie Davis Love III made the cup-clinching putt.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 21, 2023

“Last year at The Belfry I was leading after two rounds, and there were ginormous crowds out there as well,” Long said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 9, 2023

The world number 31 carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey to record a seven-under-par 65 at The Belfry.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2023

Belfry, churches, schools and houses are all in ruins.

From Ypres and the Battles of Ypres by Unknown