beck

1 of 3

verb

becked; becking; becks
Synonyms of becknext

beck

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
chiefly Scotland : bow, curtsy
2
a
: a beckoning gesture

see also at one's beck and call

beck

3 of 3

noun (2)

British

Synonyms of beck

Examples of beck in a Sentence

Noun (2) when we were lads, we raced our toy boats in the narrow beck that bordered the lane
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
Valet is at your beck and call and switching dinner reservations or nabbing hard-to-get ones are a non-issue. Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026 Flashover typically causes severe burns, particularly on the face, beck and upper limbs, often combined with critical inhalation injures from radiant heat and superheated gases. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026 As far as Border Patrol’s next move, Banks said his agents stand ready but remain at ICE’s beck and call. Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 24 Dec. 2025 Dolphins linebacker Jordan Colbert suffered a stringer to his beck in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and will not return. Miami Herald, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beck

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English bekken, shortened from bekenen "to give a mute signal," with the n perhaps being taken as the infinitive ending — more at beckon

Noun (1)

Middle English becke, bekke "mute signal, signal of command, bow," noun derivative of bekken "to give a mute signal" — more at beck entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English bek, from Old Norse bekkr; akin to Old English bæc brook, Old High German bah, Lithuanian bėgti to flee — more at phobia

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beck was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beck. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

beck

noun
ˈbek
: a beckoning gesture
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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