b

1 of 3

noun

ˈbē 

plural b's or bs ˈbēz 

often capitalized, often attributive

1

a

: the second letter of the English alphabet

names that begin with b

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

in the shape of a b

c

: the speech sound that the written letter b represents : a speech counterpart of orthographic b

2

: the seventh tone of a C-major scale (see scale entry 5 sense 1)

in the key of b

3

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter b

the b on the laptop's keyboard

4

: one designated b especially as the second in order or class

I chose option b.

5

a

: a grade rating a student's work as good but short of excellent

b

: one graded or rated with a B

a b student

6

: something shaped like the letter B

7

capitalized : the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter B and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the A blood group

b

2 of 3

abbreviation

1

bachelor

2

bacillus

3

back

4

bag

5

bale

6

bass

7

basso

8

bat

9

Baumé

10

before

11

Bible

12

billion

13

bishop

14

black

15

blue

16

bolivar

17

book

18

born

19

bottom

20

brick

21

brightness

22

British

23

bulb

24

butut

B

3 of 3

symbol

boron

Examples of b in a Sentence

Noun

There are two b's in the word “abbey.”

All of their children's names begin with b.

a song in the key of B

got a B in math

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Given the corruption of the élites in the deep state, which candidate should win? a) Candidate A b) Candidate B c) Whoever drew the biggest crowds Jane owns 12 guns. —Joel Stein, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2023

The only remaining option is Sub. b: the court votes to act in closed conference. —Jack Kelly and Matthew Defour, Journal Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2023

The single is available to pre-order now, though there is no word yet on what will feature on the b-side. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2023

Demand will increase by 6.5 million b/d in 2021, but that is 0.5 million b/d less than what EIA forecast in August. —Abby Smith, Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2020

But for reasons of a) longevity and b) more importantly, contribution to society through responsible capital allocation, C – Warren Buffett – would be most people’s choice. —James Early, Forbes, 3 May 2023

Some vitamin deficiencies can cause sleep problems, particularly b vitamins, calcium, vitamin d [13] and magnesium [14]. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2023

The presence of water vapor could suggest that GJ 486 b somehow has an atmosphere, despite its heat and proximity to the star. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 May 2023

The weekly uptrend, line b, is now in the 14,813 area. —Tom Aspray, Forbes, 7 May 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing b

• b and w
• b-boying
• b-ball
• b-boy
• b-girl

• b and w
• b-boying
• b-ball
• b-boy
• b-girl

Kids Definition

b

noun

ˈbē

often capitalized

1

: the second letter of the English alphabet

2

: a musical note referred to by the letter B : the seventh tone of a C-major scale

3

: a grade rating a student's work as good

Medical Definition

b

1 of 3 abbreviation

1

bacillus

2

barometric

3

bath

4

Baumé scale

5

behavior

6

bel

7

bicuspid

8

born

9

brother

B

2 of 3 noun

ˈbē 

: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter B and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the A blood group

B

3 of 3 symbol

boron