Big Ben

English

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.
    Synonym: Great Clock
  2. (metonymic) 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.

Descendants

Translations

Anagrams

French

Etymology

Borrowed from English Big Ben.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /biɡ bɛn/
  • Audio (Paris):(file)

Proper noun

Big Ben m

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

German

Etymology

Borrowed from English Big Ben.

Proper noun

Big Ben m (proper noun, strong, genitive Big Bens)

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

Declension

Portuguese

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English Big Ben.

Pronunciation

  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈbi.ɡi ˈbẽj̃/ [ˈbi.ɡi ˈbẽɪ̯̃]
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /ˈbiɡ ˈben/ [ˈbiɣ ˈβen]

Proper noun

Big Ben m

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

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. (metonymic) Big Ben (the clocktower itself)