belfry

American  

[bel-free] / ˈbɛl fri /

noun

plural

belfries

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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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

The last time the event was held in England was at The Belfry in Warwickshire in 2002.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

They beat Europe on its home turf at The Belfry in 1993, winning the Ryder Cup back to back for the first time in a whopping 10 years.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2023

And then there was this from NBC lead announcer Dan Hicks, noting that Raymond Floyd was the oldest player on that 1993 team at The Belfry.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2023

The competition was last held in England in 2002, at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2023

These two, engineer and mountaineer, were the only occupants of the third floor, known since their arrival as Bachelors' Belfry.

From Sunlight Patch by Harris, Credo Fitch