What does "peal" mean?
A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, laughter, of a multitude, etc.
Peal
/piːl/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, laughter, of a multitude, etc.
- Grammar: peal is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: awake the dead, bay, beep, bell.
- Useful contrasts: calm, hush, quiet.
- Usage evidence: There was a sharp peal of thunder.
How to use "peal"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "peal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "peal" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "peal" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "peal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "peal" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "awake the dead" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "peal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, laughter, of a multitude, etc.
"Whether thoſe peales of praiſe be his or no."
- 2 A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin.
- 3 a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells) wordnet
- 4 A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale. collective
"Ingulphus, the chronicler of Croyland Abbey, mentions that a peal of seven bells was put up there in the tenth century, and that there was not such a harmonious peal in the whole of England; which implies that rings of bells were then common."
- 5 The changes rung on a set of bells; in the strict sense a full peal of at least 5040 changes.
Verb
- 1 To sound with a peal or peals. intransitive
"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep..."
- 2 sound loudly and sonorously wordnet
- 3 To utter or sound loudly. transitive
"The warrior's name, / Though pealed and chimed on all the tongues of fame."
- 4 ring recurrently wordnet
- 5 To assail with noise. transitive
"Nor was his ear less pealed."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To resound; to echo. intransitive
"And the whole air pealed / With the cheers of our men."
- 7 To appeal. obsolete
"To A baron of chekker þay mun hit pele'."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"There was a sharp peal of thunder."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "peal"?
Common synonyms include: awake the dead, bay, beep, bell, belled, blare.
How do you use "peal" in a sentence?
There was a sharp peal of thunder.
How do you pronounce "peal"?
Pronounced /piːl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English pele, peil, probably an apheretic variant of Middle English apel, appel, from Old French apel (“an appeal; pealing of bells”). Compare appeal.
Etymology 2
Uncertain.
Etymology 3
Variant of Peel.