alphabet
noun
al·pha·bet
ˈal-fə-ˌbet 
-bət
1
a
: a set of letters or other characters with which one or more languages are written especially if arranged in a customary order
b
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
Synonyms
Examples of alphabet in a Sentence
The Roman alphabet begins with “A” and ends with “Z.”
you need to learn the alphabet of genealogy before you can move on to more advanced study
Recent Examples on the Web
Astronomers denote variable stars by giving them a letter, and in this case T Tauri was the 20th variable star to be found in Taurus, while T being is 20th letter of the alphabet.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The alphabet has announced a second season of Olseon’s High Potential, which opened the new year with its largest audience - 12.9 million - across all platforms over seven days, according to Nielsen.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
She is credited with introducing the Phoenician alphabet to Greece.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The topics Jeopardy! covers include everything from 19th-century philosophy to U.S. presidents to the periodic table of elements to European landmarks to the Greek alphabet.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025
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Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The alphabet has announced a second season of Olseon’s High Potential, which opened the new year with its largest audience - 12.9 million - across all platforms over seven days, according to Nielsen.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
She is credited with introducing the Phoenician alphabet to Greece.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The topics Jeopardy! covers include everything from 19th-century philosophy to U.S. presidents to the periodic table of elements to European landmarks to the Greek alphabet.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for alphabet
Dictionary Entries Near alphabet
Cite this Entry
“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alphabet
noun
al·pha·bet
ˈal-fə-ˌbet
-bət
1
: the letters of a language arranged in their usual order
2
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
Etymology
Middle English alphabete "alphabet," derived from Greek alphabētos "alphabet," from alpha and bēta, the first and second letters of the Greek alphabet
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