doorbell

Everyday

1. A bell or button by a front door that you press so the people inside know you are there. tree →
2. The sound it makes (I heard the doorbell). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it is how visitors announce themselves. In safety lessons: if you are home alone, don't open the door when the doorbell rings to someone you don't know — check through a window or ask through the door, or don't answer. Some doorbells have cameras (video doorbells). In science, an electric doorbell is a simple circuit with a switch (the button). Manners: ring once and wait; don't play «knock and run». Phrases: ring the doorbell, the doorbell rang, answer the doorbell, video doorbell.

Examples

• The doorbell rang — it was the pizza! tree →
• Ring the doorbell and wait for someone to come. tree →
• If you're home alone, don't open the door to strangers when the doorbell rings. tree →
• Our doorbell plays a little tune. tree →
• The video doorbell shows who is at the door on Mum's phone. tree →
• Pressing the doorbell closes the circuit and the bell rings. tree →
• Ringing doorbells and running away annoys people. tree →

Note

One word: doorbell. «Ring the doorbell» (not «press the bell» only — both are fine). Ring, rang, rung: The doorbell rang.