chime

¹

[ chahym ]

noun

1. an apparatus for striking a bell so as to produce a musical sound, as one at the front door of a house by which visitors announce their presence.
2. Often chimes.
   1. a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.
   2. a musical instrument consisting of such a set, especially a glockenspiel.
   3. the musical tones thus produced.
   4. carillon.
3. harmonious sound in general; music; melody.
4. harmonious relation; accord:

   the battling duo, in chime at last.

verb (used without object)

, chimed, chim·ing.

1. to sound harmoniously or in chimes as a set of bells:

   The church bells chimed at noon.

2. to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes:

   The doorbell chimed.

3. to speak in cadence or singsong.
4. to harmonize; agree:

   The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.

verb (used with object)

, chimed, chim·ing.

1. to give forth (music, sound, etc.), as a bell or bells.
2. to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.
3. to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming:

   Bells chimed the hour.

4. to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong:

   The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.

verb phrase

1. 1. to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.
   2. to harmonize with, as in singing.
   3. to be consistent or compatible; agree:

      The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.

chime

²

[ chahym ]

noun

1. the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.

chime

¹

/ tʃaɪn; tʃaɪm /

noun

1. the projecting edge or rim of a cask or barrel

chime

²

/ tʃaɪm /

noun

1. an individual bell or the sound it makes when struck
2. often plural the machinery employed to sound a bell in this way
3. Also calledbell a percussion instrument consisting of a set of vertical metal tubes of graduated length, suspended in a frame and struck with a hammer
4. a harmonious or ringing sound

   the chimes of children's laughter

5. agreement; concord

verb

1. 1. to sound (a bell) or (of a bell) to be sounded by a clapper or hammer
   2. to produce (music or sounds) by chiming
2. tr to indicate or show (time or the hours) by chiming
3. tr to summon, announce, or welcome by ringing bells
4. intrfoll bywith to agree or harmonize
5. to speak or recite in a musical or rhythmic manner

Derived Forms

• ˈchimer, noun

Other Words From

• chimer noun
• un·chiming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chime¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chymbe belle “cymbal, chime,” literally, “chime bell,” by false analysis of chimbel, chimble, from Old English cimbal, cimbala, or from Old French chimbe, variant of cimbe, cimble cymbal

Origin of chime²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English chimb(e) “rim of a barrel”; compare Old English cimbing “joining, joint,” cim-stānas “bases of a pillar”; cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch kimme “edge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of chime¹

Old English cimb-; related to Middle Low German kimme outer edge, Swedish kimb

Origin of chime²

C13: probably shortened from earlier chymbe bell, ultimately from Latin cymbalum cymbal

Example Sentences

She had attracted an audience eager to chime in about their own experiences and quick to ask White out to dinner.

From Los Angeles Times

Allow me to kick things off with some thoughts on what I’ll be watching for, then you all can chime in.

From Los Angeles Times

The host invited Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume to chime in on the topic.

From Salon

Constituents chime in to say that his “new mission” includes lowering prescription drug costs and “fighting the career politicians” to lower costs for families.

From Los Angeles Times

Organist Lee Jessup begins a short prelude with a chime tone.

From Los Angeles Times