bell buoy

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a buoy having a bell that is rung by the motion of the buoy.

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bell buoy British  

noun

1. a navigational buoy fitted with a bell, the clapper of which strikes when the waves move the buoy

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Etymology

Origin of bell buoy

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bell buoy

The island is silent year-round except for the clanging of a bell buoy and the far-off drone of lobster boats.

From New York Times ● Sep. 3, 2020

Then, evoking a passage into a quiet bay, little waves lapped with a feathery sound on a soft beach, and a bell buoy clanked mournfully.

From Time Magazine Archive

It required but a visit to the bell buoy, to see at a glance the destructive effects of the storm on the unfortunate ships.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2 Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits To the Islands in the Arafura Sea by Stokes, John Lort

This ground lies SE. from the lightship 6 to 8 miles and 13½ miles S. from Cushings Island bell buoy.

From Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine by Rich, Walter H.

The bell buoy swayed back and forth, sending out its tolling notes; and the Lily Maid was the only other thing to be seen on the water's silver.

From Lord John in New York by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)