campanile

[ kam-puh-nee-lee, -neel; Italian kahm-pah-nee-le ]

noun

, plural cam·pa·ni·les [kam-p, uh, -, nee, -leez, -, neelz], cam·pa·ni·li [kam-p, uh, -, nee, -lee, kahm-pah-, nee, -lee].

1. a bell tower, especially one freestanding from the body of a church.

campanile

/ ˌkæmpəˈniːlɪ /

noun

1. (esp in Italy) a bell tower, not usually attached to another building Compare belfry

Word History and Origins

Origin of campanile¹

1630–40; < Italian, equivalent to campan ( a ) bell (< Late Latin, probably noun use of Latin Campāna, feminine singular or neuter plural of Campānus of Campania, reputed to be a source of high-quality bronze casting in antiquity) + -ile locative suffix (< Latin -īle )

Word History and Origins

Origin of campanile¹

C17: from Italian, from campana bell

Example Sentences

In the campanile of S. Alessio there are two arcades in each storey, each divided with a mid-wall shaft.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the most notable examples in north Italy is the campanile of Pomposa near Ferrara.

From Project Gutenberg

Bewildered, and not entirely willing, Bates consented and the two went back to The Campanile.

From Project Gutenberg

Not far off is the Tower of Ivan Veliki, which serves as a campanile for three cathedrals and has thirty-four bells.

From Project Gutenberg

Above the centre of the transept rose a campanile, surmounted by a very pointed timber-work spire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cupola
• minaret
• spire
• turret