A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of at least 23 bells of varying sizes which are capable of playing melodies. This may be applied as a usage to a bell tower housing the requisite equipment (not only one or two bells), or as a secondary usage to a church or public building which houses a carillon, usually in a steeple or tower.

At least 23 bells of different sizes provide the musical instrument. A tower containing only a few bells does not have a carillon merely because it can make musical sounds.

Chimes have 22 or fewer bells. A carillon can be housed in part of a church or public building without occupying a separate freestanding bell tower.