Big Ben

English

The Clock Tower, popularly called Big Ben

Etymology

Disputed, possibly after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the Great Bell, or after English boxer Ben Caunt.

Proper noun

Big Ben

  1. The hour bell in the Elizabeth Tower (formerly known as the Clock Tower), adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, United Kingdom.
  2. (by metonymy) The clock tower itself.
    • 2015, Dorothea Benton Frank, Carolina Girls:
      He pulled up his sleeve and there on his scrawny arm hung a Rolex the size of Big Ben.

Usage notes

  • The name Big Ben officially refers to the bell, but is almost invariably used to refer to the London landmark itself. The landmark is officially called Elizabeth Tower.

Synonyms

  • (clock): Great Clock

Translations

Anagrams

German

Etymology

Borrowed from English Big Ben.

Proper noun

Big Ben m

  1. Big Ben (the hour bell in London)
  2. (by extension) Big Ben (the clocktower itself)

Portuguese

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English Big Ben.

Proper noun

Big Ben m

  1. Big Ben (the hour bell in London)

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from English Big Ben.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌbiɡ ˈben/ [ˌbiɣ̞ ˈβ̞ẽn]

Proper noun

Big Ben m

  1. Big Ben (the hour bell in London)
  2. (by extension) Big Ben (the clocktower itself)
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