bead

1 of 2

noun

ˈbēd 

1

a

obsolete : prayer

—usually used in plural

b

beads plural : a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary

2

: a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary)

3

beads plural

a

: rosary

b

: a necklace of beads or pearls

4

: a small ball-shaped body: such as

a

: a drop of sweat or blood

b

: a bubble formed in or on a beverage

c

: a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight

d

: a blob or a line of weld metal

5

: a projecting rim, band, or molding

6

: a precise knowledge or understanding

—used in such phrases as get a bead on

bead

2 of 2

verb

beaded; beading; beads

transitive verb

1

: to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading

2

: to string together like beads

intransitive verb

: to form into a bead

beader noun

Did you know?

The beads you might wear around your neck once represented prayers. The Middle English word bede at first meant “a prayer.” People then, as now, often kept track of the number and order of a series of prayers with the help of a string of little balls. Because each of these balls stands for a prayer, the word bede came to be used for the balls themselves. Today this same word, now spelled bead, is used to refer to any small piece of material with a hole in it for threading on a string or wire.

Synonyms

Noun

• glob
• droplet
• drip
• drop
• globule

Examples of bead in a Sentence

Noun

Beads of sweat began rolling down their faces.

squeeze a bead or two of glue onto the seam

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Throughout the middle passage, it has been said that our ancestors wove familiar items such as beads, shells, or even seeds and grains from home into their braids, to keep with them along their journeys. —Essence, 19 June 2025

The brand sells products like hair beads, gel, shampoo and conditioner on Nunn’s website. —Emily Krauser, People.com, 16 June 2025

Verb

The dress featured diagonal white beaded stripes that create a dynamic pattern across the entire garment. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

Some of our favorites included the summer-ready dresses and kaftans, which pair perfectly with the signature accessories, such as wrap bracelets and beaded baubles. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bede prayer, prayer bead, from Old English bed, gebed prayer; akin to Old English biddan to entreat, pray — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bead

• draw a bead on

Rhymes for bead

• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• deed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed
• knead

Kids Definition

bead

1 of 2 noun

ˈbēd 

1

: a small piece of solid material with a hole by which it can be strung on a thread

2

: a small round mass

beads of perspiration

3

: a small knob on a gun used in taking aim

4

: a rim or molding (as on a board or tire) that sticks out

bead

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover with beads or beading

2

: to string together like beads

3

: to form into a bead

beader noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bede "prayer, rosary bead," from Old English bed "prayer"

Word Origin

The beads you might wear around your neck once represented prayers. The Middle English word bede at first meant "a prayer." People then, as now, often kept track of the number and order of a series of prayers with the help of a string of little balls. Because each of these balls stands for a prayer, the word bede came to be used for the balls themselves. Today this same word, now spelled bead, is used to refer to any small piece of material with a hole in it for threading on a string or wire. It has also been used to refer to any small, round object such as a drop of sweat.