bezel
Americannoun
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the diagonal face at the end of the blade of a chisel, or the like, leading to the edge.
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Jewelry.
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that part of a ring, bracelet, etc., to which gems are attached.
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a grooved ring or rim holding a gem, watch crystal, etc., in its setting.
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Automotive. the part of a vehicle's bodywork that surrounds a light.
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the plastic or metal rim framing and protecting the screen on a phone, tablet, or other device.
Phones without visible bezels have a clean, minimalistic look, but when you’re always holding your phone by its screen, it smudges up pretty fast.
noun
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the sloping face adjacent to the working edge of a cutting tool
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the upper oblique faces of a cut gem
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a grooved ring or part holding a gem, watch crystal, etc
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a retaining outer rim used in vehicle instruments, e.g. in tachometers and speedometers
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a small indicator light used in vehicle instrument panels
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bezel
First recorded in 1605–15; origin obscure; probably akin to French biseau bevel, chamfer
Explanation
A bezel is that slanted edge on the tip of a chisel. Angled edges on cut gems like diamonds are also bezels. The grooved ring that holds the crystal of your watch in place is called a bezel, too. Bezels can also hold gems in place. If you've got a ring with a stone in it, the stone is likely held by prongs or by a solid rim — a bezel — that runs around the entire edge of the stone. If a prong gets worn down or bent, the stone can slip out, so a bezel setting might be a better choice for you if you’re catching lots of fly balls or kneading dough with your ring hand.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For example, one specific model of a brand-new Rolex GMT-Master II known as the Pepsi, which features a red and blue bezel, costs $12,150 including average sales tax in stores.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025
Pair the glossy burgundy bezel ring with a brushed bronze mesh bracelet or black rubber band.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2025
The ring has a rectangular bezel which is decorated with a central raised panel design with two cross saltires formed from two inside lines and a transverse line forming an open V shape.
From BBC ● Dec. 13, 2023
Made with a distressed steel case, a 18-karat white gold bezel and nubuck alligator strap, this exquisite watch invites you to marvel at the intricacy of seconds without distraction.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2023
The bezel was movable, and turned upon a pivot.
From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)
Five eyeball-style air vents, with illuminated bezels and metallic accents, are arrayed across the dash.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
An elegant wainscoting of polished carbon fiber stretches across the four doors, accented with aluminum bezels and wire-thin LED lighting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025
In a flash, and through a bevy of bezels and gold, there he appeared.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
To create the slimmer bezels, Apple is using a new manufacturing process called LIPO, or low-injection pressure overmolding.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 9, 2023
They abound upon small objects, such as cylinders, engraved stones, cones, scarabæi, the bezels of rings, terra-cotta tablets and statuettes.
From A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria, v. 1 by Armstrong, Walter, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
