doorbell

American  

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

noun

doorbells plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• doorbells
  plural

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

Days later, she visited again and rang the doorbell 133 times, an act that the court said demonstrated an "extreme level of obsession".

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

Dean, 38, carried the sacks - which were filled with household waste - to the nearby property and piled them outside before ringing the doorbell.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

Carpenter said that when Applegate couldn’t gain access, he knocked on the door as well as rang the doorbell.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

League commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t sleep in a van outside your house and ring the doorbell at 5 a.m. with an oversized, ceremonial check.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

I take a deep breath and press the doorbell with my palm.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• buzzer