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• William Tell
  William Tell

  noun

  a legendary Swiss patriot forced by the Austrian governor to shoot an apple off his son's head with bow and arrow.
• Tell, William
  Tell, William

  A legendary hero of Switzerland, famous for his skill as an archer. A tyrannical official forced him to shoot an apple off his son's head.

William Tell

American  

noun

1. a legendary Swiss patriot forced by the Austrian governor to shoot an apple off his son's head with bow and arrow.

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Tell, William Cultural  

1. A legendary hero of Switzerland, famous for his skill as an archer. A tyrannical official forced him to shoot an apple off his son's head.

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Example Sentences

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William Tell Tell, William

There were dancing human bobbleheads of opera composers Verdi, Puccini and Rossini, as if they were mascots for Team Rigoletto, Team Tosca and Team William Tell.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

Finally, the film gets surrealistic and even incorporates the William Tell scene from Burroughs' own life.

From Salon ● Dec. 1, 2024

There is Rat Island, nothing more than a pile of rocks with a strange statue of the Swiss folk hero William Tell.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 12, 2021

As the movie opens, Isaac’s character, William Tell, explains how he came to learn his trade: in military prison, where he’s been serving a sentence that only later comes fully into focus.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 8, 2021

Old William Tell himself couldn’t have shot any straighter than I did.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Said the Herald-American: "Tell William . . . and let William Tell."

From Time Magazine Archive

Tell William to make some strong coffee as soon as possible.

From Macaria by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans

"Tell William," said the doctor, "to drive round to the surgery before going on to Hamblyn Manor."

From The Squire's Daughter by Silas K(itto) Hocking

Tell William to drive as slowly as he likes.

From Lost Farm Camp by Harry Herbert Knibbs

Tell William to have the carriage at the door at a quarter past three; and do you pack my dressing case, and the few things I shall need for two or three days' absence.

From Sir Noel's Heir A Novel by May Agnes Fleming