Big Ben

American  

noun

1. the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

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Big Ben British  

noun

1. the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, London

2. the clock in this tower

3. the tower

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Big Ben Cultural  

1. The popular name for the huge clock mounted in a tower near the meeting place of the British Parliament in London. Big Ben strikes the quarter-hour with the familiar Westminster chimes.

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Etymology

Origin of Big Ben

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Big Ben

The judge found Day had "little insight into your offending or any real remorse", but he noted he had not offended since the Big Ben incident and had strong personal mitigation including failing eyesight.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

In the late 19th century another Steller, called Big Ben Butler, became a local celebrity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

Two weeks before the show, young seamstresses were crocheting floral motifs in mohair and Japanese metallic thread at a south London studio overlooking the Thames river and Big Ben.

From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026

The light which sits above the Big Ben bell at the top of the Elizabeth Tower, was switched off at the outbreak of war in 1939 to comply with blackout regulations.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2025

Reaching for the model Big Ben clock that we brought along from London, I set an alarm for ten minutes from now.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• timer