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
Pretend a paintbrush is strapped to your toe and try to write your name or the alphabet.
—
Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
There are 26 letters in the alphabet but only 21 are set aside each year for potential tropical storm and hurricane names in areas tracked by the National Hurricane Center.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
The colors are Gibson’s alphabet, his language, his culture (as a gay, indigenous, American artist), and his mix requires mastery to work.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
These are sentences that contain every letter in the alphabet only once.
—PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
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Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
There are 26 letters in the alphabet but only 21 are set aside each year for potential tropical storm and hurricane names in areas tracked by the National Hurricane Center.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
The colors are Gibson’s alphabet, his language, his culture (as a gay, indigenous, American artist), and his mix requires mastery to work.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
These are sentences that contain every letter in the alphabet only once.
—PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
Cite this Entry
“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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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