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Glite Dictionary
bell buoy

bell buoy

1 7.0
A floating marker with a bell that rings when it moves to warn boats
  • noun
  • /bɛl bui/
  • Specialized
translation icon : boya con campana
  • The bell buoy marked the entrance to the harbor, ensuring that vessels could navigate safely at night.

Examples

  • As the boat passed by, the bell buoy sounded a clear ring, guiding us safely through the water.

  • We need these to hear other boats in the area, the reassurance of the bell buoy, and the voices of the seabirds.

    Academic text (2010)

  • We could hear the distant chime of the bell buoy as we sailed along the coastline, a comforting presence on the open sea.

Synonyms

buoy
vsbell buoy
  • Specialized
49 6.0

A floating object anchored in water that marks safe routes and hazards

adds a ringing metal instrument to warn ships by sound rather than just marking
gong buoy
vsbell buoy
  • Specialized
9.6

A floating marker with a bell that rings to guide ships

is the same device but called by a different name
acoustic buoy
vsbell buoy
  • Specialized
7.7

A floating marker that makes sound to help ships find their way

uses a ringing metal instrument activated by movement rather than general sound devices
whistling buoy
vsbell buoy
  • Specialized
9.1

A floating marker that makes a whistling sound to warn ships of danger

produces a ringing metal sound when it moves rather than a high tone
whistle buoy
vsbell buoy
  • Specialized
8.4

A floating marker that makes a loud sharp sound to guide ships

produces ringing metal sounds activated by movement not high-pitched tones

How Loud

whistle buoy
  • Specialized
8.4
bell buoy
  • Specialized
1 7.0
to buoy
  • Specialized
1 5.0

Surface Forms

bell buoy singular
bell buoys plural

Morphology

bell + buoy

The meaning is directly compositional: a buoy that has a bell which rings as it moves. As a straightforward noun–noun compound with literal parts ('bell' + 'buoy'), the referent and function are predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents and basic nautical vocabulary.

Etymology

Bell buoy is a floating marker with a bell that rings when the buoy moves in the waves. The ringing helped boats know where to go and avoid danger, so a bell buoy is used to 'warn' and 'guide' ships.