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

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

Meanwhile, the Met Police has warned people not to try to go to the Mayor of London's fireworks event, centred around the London Eye and Big Ben, as tickets have sold out.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

According to plans, the procession will start in Parliament Square and a recitation of Winston Churchill's famous VE Day speech will be read when Big Ben strikes 12:00 BST.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025

Emergency services were called to the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, at 07:24 GMT on Saturday and spent hours managing the incident.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

The only sounds in the kitchen are our Big Ben clock chiming the half hour and the incinerator roaring four floors below.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• timer