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

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

The light on the doorbell camera remained on, indicating she was still watching us.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

From doorbell cameras to garage-door openers, cloud-based devices offer cybercriminals easy access to high-profile targets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

When I was a child, my father warned me about answering the phone or the doorbell.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

He heard the doorbell downstairs and then Ms. Morales’s powerful voice calling, “Natalie? Finn, Emma, and, uh, Chess? What’s going on? This was supposed to be a quick stop, remember?”

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• buzzer