bead

noun

\ ˈbēd

Definition of bead

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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

verb

beaded; beading; beads

Definition of bead (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from bead Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about bead

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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.

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

Every bead and crystal was hand-embroidered, as were the 30,000 burned and dyed coque feathers that lined her train. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Watch Cardi B Get Dressed for the Met With “Half a Million Dollars Worth of Nipples”," 7 May 2019 The optical tweezers can be used to do work on the bead with a cycle initiated externally by changing the laser power or focal conditions. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Pulsed engines provide high efficiency, output power, low fluctuations," 25 Sep. 2018 Strung together, the beads reveal a portrait of one Native woman. — Kelly Crow, WSJ, "America’s Art Scenes Off the Beaten Track," 15 Sep. 2018 The next step is to test the beads and powders inside Mote’s sturgeon tanks. — Christina Procopiou, Newsweek, "Cactus Guts Could Rid Water of Toxins," 13 Mar. 2016 The result was a rain of glass beads onto the Earth. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Annihilation Event That Killed The Dinosaurs Left This Diverse Graveyard Trapped in Time," 1 Apr. 2019 With this information, scientists used tiny beads coated with protein inhibitors that blocked protein activity, and which lead to bird-specific gene expressions in the embryonic chicken reverting to its ancestral anatomy. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "The Real Science of Bringing Back the Dinosaurs," 20 June 2018 This revealed ceramics, bronze, silver, gold and iron objects, more glass and silver beads, a silver sword pendant and a Roman coin. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Skeletons tell story of 'truly horrifying' fifth-century massacre," 1 May 2018 What: Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry such as bracelets, wrap cuffs, pendants and earrings using beads, leather, olive wood from Israel, semi-precious stones from around the world, nickel-free copper and Sari Silk tassel from India. — Vanessa Infanzon, charlotteobserver, "CLT Made: MADDJewels," 13 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In fact, blisters can often bead up due to dermatological issues, because a long list of conditions may cause this symptom. — Korin Miller, SELF, "9 Questions That Will Help You Decode That Skin Rash," 22 Mar. 2019 Her pieces certainly stand out on their own, especially considering that both bodysuits and beading (hand-beaded bags, mostly) are two of the most prevalent trends in contemporary fashion and on social media right now. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Meet the Designer Behind Copenhagen’s Coolest New Line of Velvet Bodysuits," 28 Jan. 2019 Sis Kendall also put a gothic twist on Coachella staples, accessorizing a long, black lace dress with chunky pendant necklaces and forehead beading. — Elizabeth Denton, Seventeen, "Celeb Fashion," 14 Apr. 2014 Meghan looked elegant in a white gown by Theia with beading details for the formal occasion. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Wore a White Theia Gown for a Welcome Reception in Tonga," 25 Oct. 2018 During a special dinner with the king and queen of Tonga, Meghan Markle stepped out with Prince Harry in a stunning white Theia gown featuring cap sleeves and beading details. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Meghan Markle’s Tonga Dress Designer Figured Out She Was Pregnant," 25 Oct. 2018 While the older Jenner sister chose a $9,000 mini dress made completely of silver Swarovski crystals, Kylie opted for a more sporty shorts bodysuit in pink — hers beaded with 70 thousand Swarovski stones. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner's Birthday Jumpsuit Is Covered in 70,000 Swarovski Crystals," 10 Aug. 2018 Other bags are hand-crocheted or hand-beaded in India, and several are fancy enough to replace your evening clutch. — Emily Farra, Vogue, "Summer’s Most Charming Bags Are Made in India, Inspired by Japan, and Arriving in New York Today," 25 June 2018 This is purely a list of useless but fulfilling stuff, like beading). — Lena Dunham, Vogue, "Lena Dunham Explores Alone Time After a Break-Up," 11 May 2018

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

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Last Updated

7 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for bead

The first known use of bead was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for bead

bead

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bead

: a small, usually round piece of glass, wood, stone, etc., that has a hole through its center and that is put on a string with other similar pieces and worn as jewelry or that is sewn onto clothing

: a small, round drop of liquid (such as water or blood)

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

bead

noun

\ ˈbēd