Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun The hour bell in the Clock Tower, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in London in the United Kingdom.
  • proper noun The Clock Tower itself.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun clock in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, London

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The Clock Tower, housing the bell which is called Big Ben, was completed in 1859.

    BBC News - Home 2012

  • The nickname Big Ben is the subject of some debate.

    WN.com - Business News 2010

  • These days, the name Big Ben is frequently used to describe the tower, one of the capital's most photographed sites, but the nickname was first given to the bell alone.

    News 2009

  • Alastair Grant/Associated Press Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament, including St Stephen's Tower which holds the bell known as Big Ben, as London celebrates the arrival of 2012.

    Welcoming the New Year 2012

  • Parliamentary copyright The famous Clock Tower, more popularly known as Big Ben, is 96.3 meters tall.

    Britain's Houses of Parliament 2009

  • It is popularly known as Big Ben, although the name actually refers only to the 13.5-ton Great Bell inside.

    Big Ben to be Silenced for Four to Six Weeks | Impact Lab 2007

  • Westminster's St. Stephen's Tower, which houses the bell known as Big Ben, is pictured on Earth Hour 2010.

    Breaking News: CBS News 2011

  • The tower, colloquially known as Big Ben, has been slightly unbalanced since the 19th century.

    Breaking News: CBS News 2011

  • The tower, colloquially known as Big Ben, has been slightly unbalanced since the 19th century.

    The Seattle Times 2011

  • 'But it's where the tree is that is significant - it's right in front of Big Ben, which is symbol of government.

    Home | Mail Online 2009

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