doorbell
Americannoun
-
doorbells
plural
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of doorbell
Explanation
A doorbell is a signal that a visitor can use to let you know they're at your door. Most doorbells have a small button that rings a bell inside the house when it's pushed. Your doorbell might emit a long chiming ring, even playing part of a song, or it may make a harsh buzzing sound. Doorbells tend to be louder than a simple knock on the door, and often they can be heard throughout a house or apartment. The very first doorbells were developed by the Scottish inventor William Murdock in the early 19th century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Flock also lost a deal with Ring after a Super Bowl commercial for Amazon’s smart doorbell company wound up sparking fears of a “surveillance nightmare.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
New York Times reporter Julian E. Barnes was watching “The Sheep Detectives” with his family one recent Friday night when two federal agents rang his doorbell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Department urged residents in the area to “make sure your doors are locked” and to ensure that “your doorbell cameras are working properly.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The doorbell went again and a walking sculpture dressed in an Anne Boleyn-style quilted dress with beaded face mask appeared.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
I went back to reading my comic—and then the doorbell rang.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
Then powered by a glazed doughnut and extra-large energy drink, he zips around driveways in northern New Jersey and nearby New York, ringing doorbells, photographing doorsteps and hauling away the physical aftermath of holiday optimism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 31, 2025
"Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbours, telling them to leave -- that's what the situation was like," he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 27, 2025
Since then, neighborhood groups in New Jersey have organized “sky watches” to track the invading swarms and traded reports via their Ring doorbells.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2024
Whether at home or on the road, Aura and Rusty alert Evans to people behind her and different noises such as doorbells, alarms or family members trying to get her attention.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2024
I’m not sure what kind of sadist rings doorbells at seven thirty on a Saturday morning, but I’m going to find out because I’m the only one awake.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
