chime
1an apparatus for striking a bell so as to produce a musical sound, as one at the front door of a house by which visitors announce their presence.
Often chimes .
a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.
a musical instrument consisting of such a set, especially a glockenspiel.
the musical tones thus produced.
to sound harmoniously or in chimes as a set of bells: The church bells chimed at noon.
to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes: The doorbell chimed.
to speak in cadence or singsong.
to harmonize; agree: The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.
to give forth (music, sound, etc.), as a bell or bells.
to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.
to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming: Bells chimed the hour.
to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong: The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.
chime in,
to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.
to harmonize with, as in singing.
to be consistent or compatible; agree: The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.
Origin of chime
1Other words from chime
- chimer, noun
- un·chim·ing, adjective
Other definitions for chime (2 of 2)
the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.
Origin of chime
2- Also chimb, chine .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use chime in a sentence
Another man chimes in: “Today we are living at the edge of suffering.”
A quick beat passes before a producer chimes in: “Fox is up!”
‘Newsroom’ Premiere: Aaron Sorkin Puts CNN on Blast Over the Boston Bombing | Kevin Fallon | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWahlberg chimes in with the hint of a smirk: “The hard days of digging ditches!”
Lukonge chimes in assertively: “When people discourage us we feel more encouraged to go on.”
Orson Welles (1965) His Chimes at Midnight was a mash-up of the Shakespeare plays in which Sir John Falstaff appears.
Under the name of "Chimes" these resonant gongs are now finding place in many Church and Concert organs.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing MillerAfter dark we wandered about the streets until the church-tower chimes warned us of the lateness of the hour.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car | Thomas D. MurphyThe village clock sounded faintly, then from the stable came the chimes of seven.
The Rake's Progress | Marjorie BowenIn a few moments the ancient belfry of St. Chad's began to send forth its mellow chimes.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor TrollopeOver all rises the square, crescent-crowned minaret—no belfry, but a steeple where the chimes are rung by the human voice.
British Dictionary definitions for chime (1 of 2)
/ (tʃaɪm) /
an individual bell or the sound it makes when struck
(often plural) the machinery employed to sound a bell in this way
Also called: bell a percussion instrument consisting of a set of vertical metal tubes of graduated length, suspended in a frame and struck with a hammer
a harmonious or ringing sound: the chimes of children's laughter
agreement; concord
to sound (a bell) or (of a bell) to be sounded by a clapper or hammer
to produce (music or sounds) by chiming
(tr) to indicate or show (time or the hours) by chiming
(tr) to summon, announce, or welcome by ringing bells
(intr foll by with) to agree or harmonize
to speak or recite in a musical or rhythmic manner
Origin of chime
1Derived forms of chime
- chimer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for chime (2 of 2)
chimb chine (tʃaɪn)
/ (tʃaɪm) /
the projecting edge or rim of a cask or barrel
Origin of chime
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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