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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Her design features a striking palette of bold pinks, deep reds, chartreuses and lush greens, each bead meticulously hand-sewn to create a visual symphony that captures both the vibrancy of New Orleans and the dignity of Black Masking culture. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 8 Jan. 2025 Concerts are held on select nights during that period, following the park’s nightly Mardi Gras Parade, which will feature six new floats this year as well as the traditional bead tossing. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Veronica Mars actress, 44, stunned in a strapless rose gold beaded Ashi Studio bustier with matching floor-length skirt. Luke Chinman, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025 Allen says to do this if the item has lost the ability to bead water, or once every three to five wash cycles. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bead 

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 21 Jan. 2025.

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!