doorbell
Americannoun
-
doorbells
plural
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of doorbell
Explanation
A doorbell is a signal that a visitor can use to let you know they're at your door. Most doorbells have a small button that rings a bell inside the house when it's pushed. Your doorbell might emit a long chiming ring, even playing part of a song, or it may make a harsh buzzing sound. Doorbells tend to be louder than a simple knock on the door, and often they can be heard throughout a house or apartment. The very first doorbells were developed by the Scottish inventor William Murdock in the early 19th century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The fridge camera can track your groceries, and the doorbell camera clears up any confusion around who might be at your door while you’re away.
From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026
Holly said her boyfriend had been sleeping as the fire took hold, and was woken by a stranger ringing the doorbell.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Using doorbell footage, pictures of the scene and police reports, we can now piece together exactly how this fatal incident unfolded.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Flock also lost a deal with Ring after a Super Bowl commercial for Amazon’s smart doorbell company wound up sparking fears of a “surveillance nightmare.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Grandma wakes up when the doorbell rings, and she goes to greet Mom.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
Smart ovens, refrigerators, and doorbells have all gotten the camera treatment, attempting to close the gaps of mystery in our daily lives.
From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026
Security cameras and video doorbells are becoming ubiquitous, capturing roaming wildlife, package deliveries and even potential criminal activity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026
"Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbours, telling them to leave -- that's what the situation was like," he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 27, 2025
Whether at home or on the road, Aura and Rusty alert Evans to people behind her and different noises such as doorbells, alarms or family members trying to get her attention.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2024
They wondered why he never rang their doorbells, or climbed four flights of double-flight stairs to deliver anything to them.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
