peal

Everyday

1. The loud ringing sound of bells. tree →
2. A loud sound, such as a peal of thunder or a peal of laughter. tree →
3. To ring loudly. tree →

In the lessons

In church, bells peal for weddings, Sundays and Christmas; at Christmas in The Wind in the Willows the field mice come carol-singing to Mole's door. In stories, a peal of laughter tells the reader someone laughs joyfully.

Examples

• The church bells pealed for the wedding. tree →
• A peal of thunder shook the house. tree →
• Peals of laughter came from the playground. tree →
• The bells rang out a joyful peal. tree →
• The doorbell pealed loudly. tree →
• The bells pealed at midnight on New Year's Eve. tree →
• The lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled in one long-continued peal all night. tree →

Note

Homophone: «peel» (the skin of fruit). Peal = sound; peel = skin.