alphabet

noun

al·pha·bet | \ ˈal-fə-ˌbet

How to pronounce alphabet (audio)

, -bət\

Definition of alphabet

1a : 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

2 : rudiments, elements

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about alphabet

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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

Its language is a four-letter alphabet, which stand for the four compounds that make up the innards of the DNA molecule. — Malcolm Ritter, The Seattle Times, "Science Says: Why scientists prize plant, animal genomes," 3 Apr. 2019 The idea of dirty Muppets is funny partly because so many of us spent our childhoods with squeaky-clean Muppets on Sesame Street teaching us the alphabet and basic Spanish and the rules of kindness and sharing. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "The Happytime Murders turns raunchy puppet comedy into inexplicably boring dreck," 23 Aug. 2018 There is more to come, for the researchers of Tevanne have not gotten as far as the old alphabet of sigils. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, "Science Fiction: A Bit of Magic Isn’t Always Enough," 12 Oct. 2018 Throughout the evening, guests lined up for Miu Miu’s very own vending machine, which dispensed a deck of cards with the designer’s alphabet. — Julia Russo, Vogue, "Miu Miu Introduces the Miu Miu Type Capsule Collection in Los Angeles," 14 Sep. 2018 To the Letter The last names of 64% of registered voters in the U.S. begin with the letters A through M. That means voting lines based on splitting the alphabet in half are likely to be vastly unequal. — Jo Craven Mcginty, WSJ, "A Long Wait to Vote? Odds Are, You Were in the A-to-M Line," 16 Nov. 2018 Floyd has added two new entirely artificial letters to that ancient alphabet. — Rob Reid, Ars Technica, "Ars on your lunch break, week 4: Our closing remarks on Fermi’s Paradox," 13 July 2018 Add alphabet stickers in corner or center of notebook desired to spell out recipient's name or monogram. — Sarah Newell, Seventeen, "11 Ridiculously Awesome DIY Gifts for Your BFFs," 12 Sep. 2018 Add alphabet stickers in corner or center of notebook desired to spell out recipient's name or monogram. — Sarah Newell, Seventeen, "11 Ridiculously Awesome DIY Gifts for Your BFFs," 12 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alphabet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for alphabet

alphabet

noun

English Language Learners Definition of alphabet

: the letters of a language arranged in their usual order

See the full definition for alphabet in the English Language Learners Dictionary

alphabet

noun

al·pha·bet | \ ˈal-fə-ˌbet

\

Kids Definition of alphabet

: the letters used in writing a language arranged in their regular order

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