Big Ben is the London landmark whose bell is popularly heard during the city's New Year's Eve countdown.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell in the north clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Strictly speaking, the name refers to the bell, not the entire tower or clock. The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, while the bell retained the familiar name Big Ben.
The Great Bell strikes the hour, and the clock's quarter bells play the well-known Westminster chimes. Broadcasters have used the sound and images of the tower as a recognizable symbol of London's midnight celebrations, including televised New Year coverage.
Restoration and maintenance can affect when the bell is audible, so broadcasts may use recordings or alternative arrangements during periods of silence. Another common error is calling the whole structure Big Ben; in precise usage, the tower is Elizabeth Tower and the principal bell is Big Ben.