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
Some may complete high school, college or even graduate school, while others may never learn the alphabet.
—
Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The rings are named after the Greek alphabet and the last two, outermost, rings named (𝛍) and nu (𝛎) were not discovered until a period of observations between 2003 and 2005 by a team led by the SETI Institute's Mark Showalter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Beltway alphabet agencies now impose 22 rules for every law that Congress passes and the president signs, the CEI report found.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
The Coca-Cola branding printed on clothes, coasters and posters has variations in the languages and alphabets used in the design, made to be recognized whether someone is seeing it in Chicago, Dhaka or Casablanca.
—Mariah Franklin, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
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Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The rings are named after the Greek alphabet and the last two, outermost, rings named (𝛍) and nu (𝛎) were not discovered until a period of observations between 2003 and 2005 by a team led by the SETI Institute's Mark Showalter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Beltway alphabet agencies now impose 22 rules for every law that Congress passes and the president signs, the CEI report found.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
The Coca-Cola branding printed on clothes, coasters and posters has variations in the languages and alphabets used in the design, made to be recognized whether someone is seeing it in Chicago, Dhaka or Casablanca.
—Mariah Franklin, USA Today, 15 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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