1. the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral
2. an omen of death or failure; something that signals the end
Usage: figurative

1. rings solemnly, especially to announce a death

Examples

• The church bell knells mournfully across the village.
• The funeral knells echoed through the cemetery.
• The company’s bankruptcy was the knell of his career.
• Many saw the new law as the knell of free speech.
• The bell knells every hour on the hour.
• The tower bell knells at sunset each day.