First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1chime
noun \ˈchīm\
Definition of CHIME
: the edge or rim of a cask or drum
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Origin of CHIME
Middle English chimbe, from Old English cimb-; akin to Middle Dutch kimme edge of a cask
2chime
verb
: to make the sound of a ringing bell
of a clock : to make a ringing sound that indicates the time
: to agree : to be in harmony
chimedchim·ing
Full Definition of CHIME
intransitive verb
1
a : to make a musical and especially a harmonious sound b : to make the sounds of a chime
2
: to be or act in accord
transitive verb
1
: to cause to sound musically by striking
2
: to produce by chiming
3
: to call or indicate by chiming <the clock chimed midnight>
See chime defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CHIME
14th century
3chime
noun
Definition of CHIME
1
: an apparatus for chiming a bell or set of bells
2
a : a musically tuned set of bells b : one of a set of objects giving a bell-like sound when struck
3
a : the sound of a set of bells —usually used in plural b : a musical sound suggesting that of bells
Origin of CHIME
Middle English, cymbal, probably from Anglo-French *chimbe, cime, from Latin cymbalum cymbal
First Known Use: 15th century
CHIME Defined for Kids
1chime
verb \ˈchīm\
chimedchim·ing
Definition of CHIME for Kids
1
: to make sounds like a bell
2
: to call or indicate by chiming <The clock chimed midnight.>
— chime in
: to interrupt or join in a conversation <“That's what I say,” chimed in Mr. Beaver. — C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe>
2chime
noun
Definition of CHIME for Kids
1
: a set of bells tuned to play music <door chimes>
2
: the sound from a set of bells —usually used in pl. <the chimes of a church bell>
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