What does doorbell mean?
A doorbell is a signaling device fitted near the entrance of a home or building that allows a visitor to alert those inside to their arrival. Traditional versions used a simple electromechanical bell, while modern installations typically produce an electronic chime activated by a push button beside the door. The word refers both to the apparatus itself and, more loosely, to the distinctive sound it makes, as in the common phrase 'the doorbell rang.' Doorbells are deeply woven into everyday social life: they mark the start of visits, deliveries, and unexpected encounters, and expressions like 'ring the doorbell' or 'answer the door' reflect the small rituals of hospitality. First electrified in the early nineteenth century, the device replaced centuries of shouting, knocking, and pulling door handles. The word itself is a straightforward compound of 'door' and 'bell,' transparent in both form and function. Neutral in register, it appears equally in casual conversation, fiction, and practical writing about homes.
nounA bell or electronic chime at the entrance of a house or building, pressed by visitors to announce their arrival. By extension, the sound made by this device when rung.
- A bell or electronic chime installed at an entrance and operated by a button, used by visitors to signal their presence.
- The ringing sound produced by such a device.
"She was halfway through making tea when the doorbell rang."
"Please ring the doorbell twice if no one answers right away."
"The doorbell chimed just as they sat down to dinner."
Standard regular plural; commonly used when referring to multiple devices, e.g., across a neighborhood or product range.
"Smart doorbells have become popular in recent years."
The electric doorbell was patented in 1831 — meaning for most of human history, visitors simply had to shout or bang on the door to get your attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of doorbell
Doorbell is a transparent English compound formed from 'door,' from Old English 'duru,' and 'bell,' from Old English 'belle.' As a compound word, it arose naturally within English once mechanical bells were mounted at entrances, becoming widespread in the nineteenth century alongside the invention of the electric doorbell. Its components are common Germanic words, so it shares deep roots with related terms like German 'Tür' (door) and 'Glocke' (bell), though the compound itself is distinctly English.
How doorbell is actually used
Doorbell is a neutral, everyday word with no regional variation in meaning; it functions both as the physical device and, in phrases like 'the doorbell rang,' as the audible signal itself. It is typically used with the verbs ring, press, or answer.
Easily confused with doorbell
A doorbell is a mechanical or electrical device that produces a chime, while knocking is the physical act of striking the door with a hand or object.