1 tintinnabulation | Definition of tintinnabulation
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

tintinnabulation

noun
tin路​tin路​nab路​u路​la路​tion | \ 藢tin-t蓹-藢na-by蓹-藞l膩-sh蓹n How to pronounce tintinnabulation (audio) \

Definition of tintinnabulation

1 : the ringing or sounding of bells
2 : a jingling or tinkling sound as if of bells
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about tintinnabulation

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for tintinnabulation

Synonyms

chime(s), jingle, tinkle

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Did You Know?

If the sound of tintinnabulation rings a bell, that may be because it traces to a Latin interpretation of the sound a ringing bell makes. Our English word derives from tintinnabulum, the Latin word for "bell." That Latin word, in turn, comes from the verb tintinnare, which means "to ring, clang, or jingle." Like the English terms "ting" and "tinkle," tintinnare originated with a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it-that is, it is onomatopoeic. Edgar Allan Poe celebrates the sonic overtones of tintinnabulation in his poem "The Bells," which includes lines about "the tintinnabulation that so musically wells / From the bells, bells, bells, bells, / Bells, bells, bells-/ From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells."

Examples of tintinnabulation in a Sentence

the merry tintinnabulation of church bells

Recent Examples on the Web

 Adasiewicz鈥檚 score reflects the impressionistic quality Christopher describes, the tintinnabulation of his vibraphone echoed in silvery streaks of melody from Berman鈥檚 cornet and washes of sound from Drake鈥檚 percussion. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Jason Adasiewicz creates a glistening film score," 2 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tintinnabulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tintinnabulation

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for tintinnabulation

Latin tintinnabulum bell, from tintinnare to ring, jingle, from tinnire

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for tintinnabulation

tintinnabulation

noun
How to pronounce tintinnabulation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tintinnabulation

literary : the sound of ringing bells

See the full definition for tintinnabulation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on tintinnabulation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tintinnabulation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tintinnabulation

Britannica English: Translation of tintinnabulation for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!