Chime

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈtʃaɪm/
• Rhymes: -aɪm

From Latin cymbalum (perhaps via Old French chimbe).

Full definition of chime

Noun

1. (musical instruments) A musical instrument producing a sound when struck, similar to a bell (e.g. a tubular metal bar) or actually a bell. Often used in the plural to refer to the set: the chimes.Sylvia had a recording of someone playing the chimes against a background of surf noise that she found calming.Hugo was a chime player in the school orchestra.
2. An individual ringing component of such a set.Peter removed the C# chime from its mounting so that he could get at the dust that had accumulated underneath.
3. A small bell or other ringing or tone-making device as a component of some other device.The professor had stuffed a wad of gum into the chime of his doorbell so that he wouldn't be bothered.
4. The sound of such an instrument or device.The copier gave a chime to indicate that it had finished printing.
5. A small hammer or other device used to strike a bell.Strike the bell with the brass chime hanging on the chain next to it.

Derived terms

• chimist

Synonyms

Verb

1. (intransitive) To make the sound of a chime.The microwave chimed to indicate that it was done cooking.I got up for lunch as soon as the wall clock began chiming noon.
2. (transitive) To cause to sound in harmony; to play a tune, as upon a set of bells; to move or strike in harmony.
• DrydenAnd chime their sounding hammers.
3. (transitive) To utter harmoniously; to recite rhythmically.
• ByronChime his childish verse.
4. (intransitive) To agree; to correspond.The other lab's results chimed with mine, so I knew we were on the right track with the research.
• Washington IrvingEverything chimed in with such a humor.
5. To make a rude correspondence of sounds; to jingle, as in rhyming.

Derived terms

• chime in, chime up

See chimb.

Noun

1. A chine; the edge of a cask.

Anagrams

• hemic