bell work

noun

A small quantity of schoolwork, with instructions posted or announced at or before the start of class, so that students commence working on it as soon as the class period has begun.

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Meanings

nounbell work (uncountable)

alternative bellwork

  1. uncountableA small quantity of schoolwork, with instructions posted or announced at or before the start of class, so that students commence working on it as soon as the class period has begun.

Origin

From bell + work. In most schools, a bell rings to signify the beginning of class.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

bell work. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bell%20work

MLA

“bell work.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bell%20work. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bell work,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bell%20work.

Source: bell work on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.