doorbell

[dawr-bel, dohr-]

noun

1. a bell chime, or the like, at a door or connected with a door, rung by persons outside wanting someone inside to open the door.

verb (used without object)

1. to canvass or solicit from door to door, especially for votes or contributions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of doorbell¹

First recorded in 1805–15; door + bell ¹

Example Sentences

"Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbours, telling them to leave -- that's what the situation was like," he said.

Read more on Barron's

Five Scottish schoolboys are enjoying internet fame after a video of them singing Wham's Last Christmas into a Ring doorbell went viral.

Read more on BBC

He was captured on camera walking to a house party, then later a doorbell camera picked him up walking to and from his dad's house, although he wasn't in.

Read more on BBC

The jury heard from the prosecutor that doorbell footage from the night of the fire had showed Mr Sunderland, of Calton Street in Keighley, carrying a canister containing seven litres of petrol.

Read more on BBC

Her doorbell camera captured footage of a gang using a gadget outside her property.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• buzzer