bead

1 of 2

noun

1
a
obsolete : prayer
usually used in plural
b
beads plural : a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary
2
: a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary)
3
beads plural
a
: rosary
b
: a necklace of beads or pearls
4
: a small ball-shaped body: such as
a
: a drop of sweat or blood
b
: a bubble formed in or on a beverage
c
: a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight
d
: a blob or a line of weld metal
5
: a projecting rim, band, or molding
6
: a precise knowledge or understanding
used in such phrases as get a bead on

bead

2 of 2

verb

beaded; beading; beads

transitive verb

1
: to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading
2
: to string together like beads

intransitive verb

: to form into a bead
beader noun

Did you know?

The beads you might wear around your neck once represented prayers. The Middle English word bede at first meant “a prayer.” People then, as now, often kept track of the number and order of a series of prayers with the help of a string of little balls. Because each of these balls stands for a prayer, the word bede came to be used for the balls themselves. Today this same word, now spelled bead, is used to refer to any small piece of material with a hole in it for threading on a string or wire.

Examples of bead in a Sentence

Noun Beads of sweat began rolling down their faces. squeeze a bead or two of glue onto the seam
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024 Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit $18 This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 See what was found inside The metal detectorists discovered four brooches, some buckles, a tubular pendant, a bronze bead, a ring and fragments of more broaches, the association said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Medium-level exposure may have afflicted workers and artists who used cinnabar to adorn beads, walls, burials and more. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 As the moon continues its trek across the sun’s face, the diamond ring and Baily’s beads and the partial solar eclipse will appear on the opposite side of the moon until the sun fully reappears. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 It is performed by a string of dancers who grab onto one another as a leader twirling a stick, handkerchief, or beads sets the pace. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 Share [Findings] Ostrich-shell beads indicating the onset of the Initial Upper Paleolithic were found to have reached Shuidonggou by 39000 bc, and strontium isotope levels revealed the social exchange of ostrich-shell beads during the Late Quaternary in the Karoo Supergroup. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 That’s the name eclipse chasers give to the sight of the last and first bead of sunlight as the sun is almost totally eclipsed. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 The weight comes from natural glass beads, which are evenly dispersed to ensure uniform pressure. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
The front of the top has what appears to be beaded chains over a sheer fabric that just barely frees the nipple. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2024 Emily Ratajkowski, for example, wore a directional Jacquemus bridal look, Cardi B was swathed in inky Atelier Versace spring 2003 lace, Kylie Jenner came dripping in blood-red Ludovic de Saint Sernin beads, and Kim Kardashian showed that simple is often the most impactful in pearlescent Balenciaga. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 The site also boasted musket parts and 1,200 pieces of lead shot—mostly hunting ammunition—as well as stone and glass beads that colonists likely traded with Native Americans. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Similar stories played out with other forms of money, such as wampum beads. Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 A touch of sparkle came from the black rhinestones beaded waistline on her dress, as well as De Beers jewelry. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Aneurysms beaded on the surface of the infant’s heart. Emily Baumgaertner Ariana Drehsler, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The star wore a dreamy sheer and metallic Elie Saab Couture gown with cutout details and beading all over. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Nominated for best female actor in a leading role in a motion picture for her work in Poor Things, Stone showed up in full movie star mode, wearing a silver-lilac beaded custom gown by Louis Vuitton with feathers embroidered onto the bodice. Lindy Segal, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bede prayer, prayer bead, from Old English bed, gebed prayer; akin to Old English biddan to entreat, pray — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bead was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bead

Cite this Entry

“Bead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bead. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bead

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small piece of solid material with a hole by which it can be strung on a thread
2
: a small round mass
beads of perspiration
3
: a small knob on a gun used in taking aim
4
: a rim or molding (as on a board or tire) that sticks out

bead

2 of 2 verb
1
: to cover with beads or beading
2
: to string together like beads
3
: to form into a bead
beader noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English bede "prayer, rosary bead," from Old English bed "prayer"

Word Origin
The beads you might wear around your neck once represented prayers. The Middle English word bede at first meant "a prayer." People then, as now, often kept track of the number and order of a series of prayers with the help of a string of little balls. Because each of these balls stands for a prayer, the word bede came to be used for the balls themselves. Today this same word, now spelled bead, is used to refer to any small piece of material with a hole in it for threading on a string or wire. It has also been used to refer to any small, round object such as a drop of sweat.

More from Merriam-Webster on bead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!