peal

[ peel ]

noun

1. a loud, prolonged ringing of bells.
2. a set of bells tuned to one another.
3. a series of changes rung on a set of bells.
4. any loud, sustained sound or series of sounds, as of cannon, thunder, applause, or laughter.

   Synonyms: clangor, resounding, reverberation

verb (used with object)

1. to sound loudly and sonorously:

   to peal the bells of a tower.

2. Obsolete. to assail with loud sounds.

verb (used without object)

1. to sound forth in a peal; resound.

peal

¹

/ piːl /

noun

1. a loud prolonged usually reverberating sound, as of bells, thunder, or laughter
2. Leisure:Bell-ringing a series of changes rung in accordance with specific rules, consisting of not fewer than 5000 permutations in a ring of eight bells
3. not in technical usage the set of bells in a belfry

verb

1. intr to sound with a peal or peals
2. tr to give forth loudly and sonorously
3. tr to ring (bells) in peals

peal

²

/ piːl /

noun

1. a dialect name for a grilse or a young sea trout

Other Words From

• inter·peal verb (used with object)
• un·pealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peal¹

1350–1400; Middle English pele, akin to peal to beat, strike (now dial.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of peal¹

C14 pele, variant of apele appeal

Example Sentences

“We cheered and cheered again and again, while church bells rang out in a peal of jubilation.”

From Literature

Minutes later, more explosions peal through the air, as the Israeli military responds to the source of the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

For, in case you missed it, a peal of what may or may not have been the archangel Gabriel’s horn cut through the noise a few days ago signaling, ominous, that it’s time.

From Salon

The bells of Westminster Abbey will peal at 1 p.m.

From Washington Times

The bells of Westminster Abbey will peal at 1 p.m.

From Seattle Times