doorbell

American  

[dawr-bel, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌbɛl, ˈdoʊr- /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

Etymology

Origin of doorbell

First recorded in 1805–15; door + bell ¹

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

As I ring the doorbell of Maggie O'Farrell's Edinburgh home, I wonder with some trepidation whether the acclaimed novelist might have become a bit starry after the whirlwind few months she's just had.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Williams came to her home in the early morning of Aug. 8, 2022, and rang the doorbell repeatedly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

From doorbell cameras to garage-door openers, cloud-based devices offer cybercriminals easy access to high-profile targets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Neighborhood doorbell cameras, Flock license plate readers and hyperlocal social media sites like Nextdoor create a crowdsourced record of all people’s movements in public spaces.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

I’m drying the jar when the doorbell rings.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Related Words

• buzzer