chime /tʃaɪm/noun 5verb 5forms 5phrases 2 noun5 •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.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. •The sound of such an instrument or device.The copier gave a chime to indicate that it had finished printing.Chimes sing Sunday morn. •An individual ringing component of such a set.Peter removed the C♯ chime from its mounting so that he could get at the dust that had accumulated underneath. •A small bell or other ringing or tone-making device as a component of some other device.The professor had stuffed a wad of gum into the chime of his doorbell so that he wouldn't be bothered. •A small hammer or other device used to strike a bell.Strike the bell with the brass chime hanging on the chain next to it. verb5 •To make the sound of a chime.The microwave chimed to indicate that it was done cooking.I got up for lunch as soon as the wall clock began chiming noon. •To cause to sound in harmony; to play a tune, as upon a set of bells; to move or strike in harmony.And chime their sounding hammers. — 1697 •To agree; to correspond.The other lab's results chimed with mine, so I knew we were on the right track with the research. •To make a rude correspondence of sounds; to jingle, as in rhyming.It shall not keep one settled pace of time, In the same tune it shall not always chime — 1667 •To utter harmoniously; to recite rhythmically.Chime his childish verse. — 1809 formschimed · chiming · chimes · chimeth · chimest Phrases with chime chime inTo talk; to join in conversation or discussion. chime upTo speak suddenly; to make an unexpected contribution to a conversation.
