London’s giant New Year’s Eve bell in the Elizabeth Tower is called Big Ben.
Big Ben is the nickname of the great bell inside the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The tower itself was officially renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, while Big Ben continues to refer specifically to the bell, not the entire tower or clock.
The bell first struck in 1859. It weighs more than 13 tons and is known for its distinctive low note. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, its chimes are broadcast as part of celebrations in the United Kingdom and are often used in international television coverage.
Visitors and broadcasters frequently use “Big Ben” for the whole landmark, but that is technically imprecise. The clock is the Great Clock of Westminster, the tower is Elizabeth Tower, and Big Ben is the largest bell in the tower’s belfry.