1
a
: the loud ringing of bells
the peal of wedding bells
b
: a complete set of changes (see change entry 2 sense 6) on a given number of bells
c
: a set of bells tuned to the tones of the major (see major entry 1 sense 7a) scale for change ringing
2
: a loud sound or succession of sounds
peals of laughter
peals of thunder
Examples of peal in a Sentence
Noun
the peal of wedding bells
Verb
the village bells pealed every hour in commemoration
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2024
Many of the ringers wore earplugs or headphones to muffle the deafening peals.
—Joseph Wilson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2024
Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
Minutes later, more explosions peal through the air, as the Israeli military responds to the source of the fire.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peal 
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Noun
Within hours of arriving, what sounded like a distant peal of thunder rolled in—in this case, the rumble of a harmless, but still awe-inspiring, small-scale avalanche.
—Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2024
Many of the ringers wore earplugs or headphones to muffle the deafening peals.
—Joseph Wilson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2024
Verb
What other unique design features are a part of the new St. Charles?
Another feature of the church people can enjoy, Cattani said, are four large bells in the church's bell tower that peal throughout the day as well as for weddings and funerals.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
Minutes later, more explosions peal through the air, as the Israeli military responds to the source of the fire.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peal
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Cite this Entry
“Peal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peal. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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