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

1. a bell rung to announce beginning or ending of class