b

1 of 3

noun

plural b's or bs ˈbēz How to pronounce b (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Ragebound leaned more heavily on its inherent b-movie goofiness to tell a compelling action saga. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 In the film’s only real visual flourish, these scenes are animated usually translucent, see-through animations set against b-roll of the real forest. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025 Because huge shocks to the system tend to empower either a) bold problem solvers or b) populist demagogues. Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025 One is to get an antitrust exemption from the government, but that requires bipartisan Congressional support at a time when the two sides of the aisle a) have far more imperative legislative fish to fry and b) can’t agree whether the sky is blue or red. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for b

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of b was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/b. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on b

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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