peal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, with a slight formal/literary bias.
Quick answer
What does “peal” mean?
A loud ringing of a bell or set of bells, especially as part of a celebration or announcement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loud ringing of a bell or set of bells, especially as part of a celebration or announcement; also, any loud, prolonged sound or series of sounds.
As a verb: to sound loudly and sonorously; to ring out. Figuratively: to utter or give forth in a loud, ringing sound (e.g., laughter, thunder).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. More commonly encountered in British English due to the cultural prominence of bell-ringing traditions (e.g., 'change ringing').
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with church towers, national events, and village life. In the US, the association is slightly more literary or general.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, particularly in written descriptions and news reports about ceremonies.
Grammar
How to Use “peal” in a Sentence
PEAL (out) [of thunder/bells/laughter]PEAL with [laughter/joy]A PEAL of [thunder/bells]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bells will peal at noon to mark the Queen's birthday.
- Thunder pealed across the Yorkshire Dales.
American English
- The church bells pealed joyously after the ceremony.
- Laughter pealed from the children's room.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'A peal of applause greeted the CEO's announcement.'
Academic
Found in historical or literary descriptions. 'The peal of the tocsin summoned the citizens.'
Everyday
Used for describing loud, festive, or sudden sounds: 'We heard a peal of bells from the cathedral.'
Technical
In campanology (bell-ringing), a 'peal' is a specific, complex sequence of at least 5000 changes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peal”
- Misspelling as 'peel'.
- Using for a single, short sound (e.g., a doorbell 'pealed').
- Incorrect preposition: 'a peal from thunder' instead of 'a peal of thunder'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Peal' implies a loud, prolonged, often complex or sequential sound, typically of bells, thunder, or laughter. 'Ring' is more general and can describe any resonant metallic sound, from a single note to a sequence.
Yes. While most traditional, it is commonly used for loud, rolling thunder ('peal of thunder') and loud, infectious laughter ('peals of laughter').
It is not an everyday, high-frequency word (C1 level). It is more common in descriptive, literary, or specific cultural contexts (like news reports on royal weddings or historical fiction).
Confusing it with 'peel' (to remove the skin). Remember the mnemonic: 'The orange PEALed (made a sound) when I PEELed it.'
A loud ringing of a bell or set of bells, especially as part of a celebration or announcement.
Peal is usually neutral, with a slight formal/literary bias. in register.
Peal: in British English it is pronounced /piːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /piːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A peal of laughter/thunder”
- “Ring a peal”
- “Peals of mirth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a peeled (PEALed) orange making a loud, ringing 'PEAL!' sound when you squeeze it—unexpected and bright.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (a peal of thunder shook the windows); JOY/CELEBRATION IS RESONANT SOUND (peals of laughter).
Practice
Quiz
In the context of bell-ringing, what does a 'full peal' specifically refer to?