school bell
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A bell that is rung to signal the start or the end of a class period within a school.
Usage
The term "school bell" refers specifically to the auditory signal used in an educational institution to mark the formal boundaries of instructional time. It is a concrete object (the bell) whose primary function is to produce a sound for this administrative purpose.
Examples
- The school bell rang, and students hurried to their next class.
- We must be in our seats before the school bell sounds.
- The sound of the school bell marks the end of the school day.
Advanced Usage
- Metonymic Use: The phrase can sometimes refer not just to the physical object but to the concept of the scheduled class time itself.
- Example: "I'll meet you after the school bell." (Meaning: after classes end for the day).
Variants and Related Words
- Bell: The general term for a hollow metal object that makes a ringing sound when struck.
- Class bell: A near-synonymous phrase, also used to signal the beginning or end of a class.
- Warning bell: A bell rung shortly before the official start time, serving as a preliminary signal.
Synonyms
- Class bell
- Academy bell (less common, more formal)
Notes
"School bell" is a compound noun. Its meaning is specific to the context of education and scheduling. It is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or as a phrasal verb.
Noun
- a bell rung to announce beginning or ending of class