doorbell

American  

[dawr-bel, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌbɛl, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. a bell chime, or the like, at a door or connected with a door, rung by persons outside wanting someone inside to open the door.

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verb (used without object)

1. to canvass or solicit from door to door, especially for votes or contributions.

Etymology

Origin of doorbell

First recorded in 1805–15; door + bell ¹

Example Sentences

She’s barely closed the door when the doorbell rings.

From Literature

Before he reached the end of the chapter the doorbells were ringing, both the shop bell on the street and the family bell in the alley.

From Literature

So far, the lone glimpse officials have of the suspect is of a masked man whose image was captured on the doorbell camera outside Nancy Guthrie's home.

From BBC

Investigators have released images of the prime suspect - a man captured on Nancy Guthrie's Nest doorbell camera.

From BBC

That evening, as the Coadys were preparing for bed, someone from the Army rang their doorbell.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• buzzer