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
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
In July 2023, Musk renamed Twitter as X (his favorite letter of the alphabet).
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The museum is adorned with the 36 letters of the Armenian alphabet and a glass hazarashen skylight, inspired by traditional roofs in homes across the Armenian Highlands.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
This second, ks, version makes its way to the Romans and their Latin, which is where the English alphabet comes from.
—James Doubek, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Though some teams write sentences and paragraphs with the standard alphabet, most have an entire shorthand developed over time and programmed into the internal system.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
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Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The museum is adorned with the 36 letters of the Armenian alphabet and a glass hazarashen skylight, inspired by traditional roofs in homes across the Armenian Highlands.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
This second, ks, version makes its way to the Romans and their Latin, which is where the English alphabet comes from.
—James Doubek, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Though some teams write sentences and paragraphs with the standard alphabet, most have an entire shorthand developed over time and programmed into the internal system.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
Cite this Entry
“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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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