<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a hollow instrument of cast metal, typically cup-shaped with a flaring mouth, suspended from the vertex and rung by the strokes of a clapper, hammer, or the like.</li><li>the stroke or sound of such an instrument: We rose at the bell.</li><li>anything in the form of a bell.</li><li>the large end of a funnel, or the end of a pipe, tube, or any musical wind instrument, when its edge is turned out and enlarged.</li><li>Architecture: the underlying part of a foliated capital.</li><li>Nautical: any of the half-hour units of nautical time rung on the bell of a ship.</li><li>each individual ring of the bell, counted with others to reckon the time: It is now four bells.</li><li>a signal on the telegraph of a large power vessel, made between the navigating officers and the engineer.</li><li>Zoology: umbrella (def 2).</li><li>Botany: the bell-shaped corolla of a flower.</li><li>Metallurgy: a conical lid that seals the top of a blast furnace and lowers to admit a charge.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to cause to swell or expand like a bell (often followed by out): Belling out the tubes will permit a freer passage of air.</li><li>to put a bell on: Should we bell the wreath so we'll know when he opens the front door?</li><li>British Informal: to telephone: If I have time, I’ll bell you from the office.</li><li>(used without object) to take or have the form of a bell.</li><li>Botany: to produce bells; be in bell (said of hops when the seed vessels are forming).</li></ul>