noun · verb · 13 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/tʃaɪm/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪm
rhymes with -aɪ
CMU ARPABET:CH AY1 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A musical instrument producing a sound when struck, similar to a bell (e.g. a tubular metal bar) or actually a bell. Often used in the plural to refer to the set: the chimes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
Hugo had a recording of someone playing the chimes against a background of surf noise that she found calming.
Sylvia was a chime player in the school orchestra.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An individual ringing component of such a set.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Peter removed the C♯ chime from its mounting so that he could get at the dust that had accumulated underneath.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A small bell or other ringing or tone-making device as a component of some other device.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The professor had stuffed a wad of gum into the chime of his doorbell so that he wouldn't be bothered.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The sound of such an instrument or device.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The copier gave a chime to indicate that it had finished printing.
Chimes sing Sunday morn.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A small hammer or other device used to strike a bell.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Strike the bell with the brass chime hanging on the chain next to it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Alternative form of chine (“edge of a cask; part of a ship; etc.”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To make the sound of a chime.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
The microwave chimed to indicate that it was done cooking.
I got up for lunch as soon as the wall clock began chiming noon.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To cause to sound in harmony; to play a tune, as upon a set of bells; to move or strike in harmony.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To utter harmoniously; to recite rhythmically.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To agree; to correspond.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
The other lab's results chimed with mine, so I knew we were on the right track with the research.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
verb
Meaning 11
To make a rude correspondence of sounds; to jingle, as in rhyming.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
From Middle English chymbe, chyme, probably from Old Northern French chimbe (“cymbal”), a back-formation from chimble, cimble, from Latin cymbalum; perhaps reinforced by a misinterpretation of a Middle English *chymbele (from Old English ċimbala, ċimbal (“cymbal”)) as chymbe belle.
Across languages
Translations
78 source translations are retained for this English entry.
