Big Ben

noun

1. the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

Big Ben

noun

1. the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, London

2. the clock in this tower

3. the tower

Big Ben

1. The popular name for the huge clock mounted in a tower near the meeting place of the British Parliament in London. Big Ben strikes the quarter-hour with the familiar Westminster chimes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Big Ben¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Word History and Origins

Origin of Big Ben¹

C19: named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Works in 1856 when it was cast

Related Words

• timer