1. plural of bedel; officers in some universities (especially Oxford and Cambridge) who maintain order and carry out ceremonial duties.
Usage: chiefly British; academic/institutional context

Examples

• The bedels processed in their formal robes during the university ceremony.
• Oxford's bedels are responsible for maintaining discipline in the examination halls.
• The senior bedel announced the beginning of the academic procession.
• Bedels at Cambridge have served as ceremonial officers for centuries.
• The bedels wore their traditional chains of office at the graduation.