Big Ben

noun

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

Big Ben

noun

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

Big Ben

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Big Ben¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Word History and Origins

Origin of Big Ben¹

C19: named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Works in 1856 when it was cast

Example Sentences

It seems inevitable that after the elaborate opening service, the tower will still be known as Big Ben.

From The Daily Beast

Parliament could, in theory, vote to imprison either of the men (possibly in a cell beneath Big Ben) for contempt.

From The Daily Beast

All this pales, of course, to the case of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback “Big Ben” Roethlisberger.

From The Daily Beast

When the chimes of Big Ben ended on September 1, 1969, the first headline was a shocker.

From The Daily Beast

They sat very still while Big Ben proclaimed the hour of nine.

From Project Gutenberg

Uncle Jim set a Big Ben alarm clock down on one of the spool tables for me.

From Project Gutenberg

I could have screamed, it was so ridiculous; but time was getting on, Big Ben was striking four, and the day was closing in.

From Project Gutenberg

It was nearly half-past eleven when she got there, and Big Ben was chiming the half hour as she ascended the steps.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he heard Big Ben strike twelve, and then—— It was a long, long journey, and the tunnel seemed to go on and on.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• timer