death bell

noun

1. the bell that announces a death.

Word History and Origins

Origin of death bell¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

“People with political power can make determinations that will ring the death bell for these towns.”

From Seattle Times

Many bitter old New Yorkers like myself, mark the shuttering of fiercely adored eateries and bars, as the tolling of the city’s death bell.

From The Guardian

Gitl began reciting the Kaddish, rocking back and forth on the sleeping shelf with the sonorous words, and the prayer was like the tolling of a death bell.

From Literature

Edward L. Morse, global head of commodities research at Citigroup in New York, said he “expects 2013 to be the year in which the death bells ring for the commodity supercycle.”

From New York Times

It’s an announcement with layers of ramifications, but it’s certainly not a death bell.

From Forbes