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

Keep scrolling for more

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

The beauty mogul flaunted her not-so-subtle take on Instagram yesterday, posing in a skin-tight naked dress covered in crystal and pearl beads. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Channels Britney Spears in a Sparkly Beaded Naked Dress," 15 Dec. 2018 Conceived as the store’s pièce de résistance is a 60-foot pearl necklace in gilded glass beads by French sculptor Jean-Michel Othoniel. — Erik Maza, Town & Country, "Chanel Sets Sail for New York City," 15 Nov. 2018 Her favorite activities include cooking, bead work and football. — Tammy Ayer, The Seattle Times, "47 years, zero answers: 16-year-old Toppenish girl disappeared after Christmas Eve 1971. Her sister refuses to give up the search.," 4 Nov. 2018 The researchers also calculated that their engine could be demonstrated using something like a glass bead held by optical tweezers. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Pulsed engines provide high efficiency, output power, low fluctuations," 25 Sep. 2018 Cut bead about 1-2 inches long with X-Acto or plastic clay knife. — Sarah Newell, Seventeen, "11 Ridiculously Awesome DIY Gifts for Your BFFs," 12 Sep. 2018 Add white seed beads for accents and knot on either side. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "How to Make a Moana Costume for Halloween," 1 Aug. 2018 Or go to Coachella or go to Bonnaroo, wherever, and have your picture shirtless, wearing beads. — Fox News, "Psychologist says Americans are suffering from 'Trump Anxiety Disorder'," 31 July 2018 Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (my current favorite is a bead head pheasant tail (#14) with a ruby midge (#18) suspended below it. — Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star, kansascity, "Fishing report: Catfish action picking up in Kansas, Missouri lakes," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 Bling is not restricted to jewelry, as more designers choose to embellish with pearls, beading and even sequins. — Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle, "Bridal gown trends veer toward modesty but don’t lack drama," 26 Jan. 2018 His pieces at the moment, are essentially American-made couture: beaded, embroidered or chain linked painstakingly by hand in his New York studio, just a man and a team of interns. — New York Times, "New York Men’s Fashion Week: The Mixtape," 11 July 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bead

Dictionary Entries near bead

Statistics for bead

Last Updated

18 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for bead

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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