# ringing

/ˈɹɪŋɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪŋɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ringing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sound of a bell

noun · CEFR B1

the sound made by a bell, a telephone, or a similar object.

For teachers: the clear, resonant sound produced by a bell, telephone, or metallic object.

- The constant ringing of the telephone made it hard for him to concentrate on his work.
- The distant ringing of church bells echoed through the valley, signaling the start of the morning ceremony.

### 2. bird tagging

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the practice of putting small numbered bands on birds' legs to study them.

For teachers: the ornithological practice of attaching numbered metal or plastic rings to the legs of wild birds for tracking and research.

- The scientists spent the morning bird ringing at the nature reserve.
- Data collected through bird ringing has provided invaluable insights into the migratory patterns of Arctic terns across the Atlantic.

### 3. loud and clear

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a sound or a statement that is very clear and powerful.

For teachers: characterized by a clear, resonant quality; figuratively used to describe forceful or emphatic declarations.

- The leader's speech was a ringing call for peace and unity.
- The court's decision was a ringing endorsement of the new environmental protection laws, leaving no room for legal ambiguity.

## Examples

- The ringing of the phone woke me up early.
- After the loud explosion, he experienced a constant ringing in his ears that lasted for several hours.
- The rhythmic ringing of the church bells echoed through the valley, signaling the start of the morning ceremony for the entire village.

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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.
