What does peal mean?
A peal is the loud, sustained ringing of bells, and it may also describe similar resonant sounds such as rolling thunder or a burst of laughter. The verb to peal means to ring loudly or reverberate, often with a sense of power, resonance, or celebration. A church bell can peal across a town, a storm can send thunder pealing overhead, and a joke can draw a peal of laughter from an audience. The word is especially common in literature, journalism, and descriptive speech, where it emphasizes sound that is vivid, imposing, or jubilant. Although it is often associated with bells, peal is broader than any single source: it can characterize almost any loud, repeated, ringing sound. Its combination of precise auditory meaning and strong poetic resonance makes it useful when simple words such as sound or ring would feel too general.
A loud, sustained, resonant sound, especially that produced by bells or thunder.
"The bells sounded a solemn peal at midnight."
Often used in vivid or literary contexts and frequently followed by “of.”
To ring loudly or produce a loud, resonant, repeated sound.
"The great bells pealed above the harbor."
The intransitive use is common; the transitive use, “to peal the bells,” is also established.
The plural is used for distinct instances or occurrences of ringing, thunder, laughter, or another resonant sound.
"Distant peals of thunder echoed through the valley."
Peal can transform a simple sound into something immense: church bells at weddings, thunder overhead, and laughter bursting through a hall all speak of pealing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peal come from?
The word entered Middle English through forms connected with Old French peler, meaning to ring or sound loudly. Its further development is generally traced to Latin pellere, “to strike, drive, or push,” the same ancient root found in several English verbs. The sense developed from the striking of bells to their loud, sustained ringing and, by extension, to comparable resonant noises.
Related word forms
How peal is actually used
The word is literary and descriptive rather than neutral in register. As a noun, it often suggests a loud, sustained, or impressive sound; as a verb, it describes a resonant ringing or reverberation.
Easily confused with peal
A peal is a resonant ringing sound, whereas a peel is the outer layer of fruit or another material.
A peal is a sound, while a pale is a narrow stake or fence post and can also mean lacking color.