# doorbell

/ˈdɔɹˌbɛɫ/ (US) · /dˈɔːbɛl/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doorbell
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a button outside a house that you press to make a sound inside, telling the people you are there.

For teachers: a signalling device, typically located near an exterior door, that a visitor activates to alert occupants of their presence.

## Examples

- I heard the doorbell ring while I was in the kitchen.
- The delivery driver rang the doorbell twice before leaving the package on the front porch.
- Modern security systems often integrate the doorbell with a high-definition camera, allowing homeowners to communicate with visitors remotely via a smartphone application.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.