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peal

peal

4 5.8
A deep, long, loud sound often from bells or thunder
  • noun
  • /piːl/
translation icon : repique
  • The church's bell rang a deep, loud peal that filled the quiet village.

Examples

  • Thunder boomed from somewhere distant, a long steady peal that echoed through the city walls.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The first consisted of three peals, followed by five more a few minutes later.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Suddenly, a resounding peal of thunder rings out like the crack of doom.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Before I reached the landing, I heard a peal of laughter coming from Gisselle's open doorway.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • "The bells rang out again; loud, resonating peals that reached every corner of the mission.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • A dog barked in the distance, a long staccato peal that died away with jarring sharpness.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Before she'd gone very far, they couldn't help bursting into shrieks and peals of laughter.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Harold nodded politely and grinned when the others burst into loud peals of laughter.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As the storm approached, we heard the ominous peal of thunder echoing in the distance.

  • The celebration began with a joyous peal of bells, marking the start of the festivities.

Synonyms

bell
vspeal
221 1.0

A clear ringing sound made by a struck metal object

is deeper and louder often prolonged and linked to thunder or large bells
roll
vspeal
218 2.7

A long deep sound from drums or thunder

is similar but often means a shorter repeated sound
ring
vspeal
203 1.0

The sound a bell or phone makes when struck

is specific to deep long loud sounds not short electronic or phone sounds
roar
vspeal
142 1.0

A loud deep continuous sound made by animals, crowds, or machines

is more specific to bell or thunder sounds rather than general loud noise
rumbling
vspeal
75 3.2

A deep low sound that you can hear for a long time, often from thunder, machines, or your stomach

is closer to bells in tone more musical and clearer than this dull sound
roaring
vspeal
30 3.4

A deep loud sound like an animal or thunder

is similar but the key is specifically used for bell or thunder sounds
rumble
vspeal
29 3.1

A low, continuous sound you can feel

is more resonant and musical not the dull continuous vibration implied here
chime
vspeal
23 1.7

A clear musical ringing sound made by a bell or a set of bells

is deeper and louder less light and musical than this clear tone
toll
vspeal
20 6.3

The slow deep sound a bell makes when hit

is more general applying to any deep long loud sound not just slow repeats
bell ringing
vspeal
1 3.3

A sound made by bells during a ceremony or musical performance

is about a single deep long sound rather than musical performance
pealing
vspeal
1 7.7

A deep long sound like thunder or large bells

is the noun form referring to that same long loud sound
rolling
vspeal
1 3.7

A deep continuous sound like thunder or large bells

is the same idea but focusing on continuous movement rather than single strikes

How Loud

peal
4 5.8
ring
203 1.0
chime
23 1.7

Surface Forms

peal singular
peals plural

Etymology

Peal comes from old words for a loud 'call' or 'ring'. As a noun, a peal is a deep, long, loud sound, like a roll of bells or thunder that fills the sky.