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\ ˈbēd 
\
\Definition of bead
(Entry 1 of 2)
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)
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
verbbeaded; beading; beads
Definition of bead (Entry 2 of 2)
2 : to string together like beads
: to form into a bead
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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 Traditional troupes dressed in African cloth and cowrie beads, concluded the shows each night – a reiteration of Tassembédo’s belief that traditional dance should inform African experiments in modern dance.
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Clair Macdougall, Quartz Africa, "Photos: Burkina Faso’s contemporary dance festival turns the discourse away from terror," 3 Feb. 2020 Her new pieces are covered in small, colored plastic foam beads to suggest heathered wool or multicolored sand.
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Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: ‘Sea of Change’ exhibition sets the voyage on a different course," 6 Dec. 2019 The students, who called themselves the Indians of All Tribes, offered $24 in glass beads and red cloth for Alcatraz.
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Ben Crair, Smithsonian, "Alcatraz’s Captivating Hold on History," 23 Oct. 2019 Tom, whose brow is covered in beads of sweat, has no time to talk but Exotic Babi does.
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Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Inside Tom's One-Hour Photo in L.A.'s Koreatown 24 Hours After Kacey Musgraves Made Him a Viral Star," 29 Aug. 2019 Ponytails and bangs coated in odd colors like metallic green, pale yellow, or sparkly glitter to match with crystal-embelessorized in small, shiny black beads to resemble a caviar texture, similar to more of the embellishments on the clothing.
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Kristen Bateman, Allure, "Schiaparelli Makes the Case for Matching Your Makeup to Your Outfit," 3 July 2019 So Mezzanine is going to be stored in DNA molecules, encased in tiny glass beads.
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David Meyer, Fortune, "Scientists Are Coding an Electronic Music Masterpiece Into DNA So It Can Last Forever," 24 Apr. 2018 Closer to home: Jeanne Verger, owner of Jeanne Verger Jewelry, specializes in mala beads, and is leading a mala-making class Aug. 26 at the Den Meditation studio in Studio City.
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Alene Dawson, latimes.com, "How prayer beads can enhance your meditative lifestyle," 31 Mar. 2018 The new 870 Express Trap has a hardwood Monte Carlo stock, a 30-inch barrel with front and mid-bead, and three chokes to cover singles and handicap distances.
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Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, "First Look: Remington 870 Express Trap," 29 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The custom hand beaded embroidered lace gown and illusion tulle cape took 105 hours to create.
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Sarah Michaud, PEOPLE.com, "Maddie & Tae's Maddie Marlow Marries Jonah Font: All the Details from Their Tennessee Wedding," 23 Nov. 2019 Her Schiaparelli Couture hologram gown, hand-beaded with silver paillettes and gold stars, makes her not just a phoenix, but a goddess, too.
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Harper's BAZAAR, "Double Happiness: The Season's Luckiest Wedding Gowns—In China's Most Heavenly Setting," 30 Sep. 2019 Sheer floating volumes and intricate artisanal hand-beading maintained the connection with humanity.
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Washington Post, "Armani explores connection with nature in ethereal looks," 22 Sep. 2019 Sheer floating volumes and intricate artisanal hand-beading emphasized the connection with humanity.
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Colleen Barry, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Armani explores connection with nature in ethereal looks," 21 Sep. 2019 Inspired by masquerade balls, the new fall and winter collection includes eveningwear such as a pink tulle ballgown, velvet blazer and pants, and a delicate pink beaded bolero.
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Los Angeles Times, "H&M unveils its sustainable fall and winter 2019 Conscious Exclusive collection," 17 Sep. 2019 The cream and burnt red floor-length boatneck satin gown featuring gold embroidery, sequins, beading and lion head metal medallion hardware has a medieval aesthetic, fitting for a knight.
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Emily J. Sullivan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmys: Gwendoline Christie Surprises in Gucci "Jesus" Gown," 23 Sep. 2019 If the stripper worked, more of the water should soak in and less should bead up.
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Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "Restoring the color to slate that’s lost its blackness," 16 Sep. 2019 The looks incorporated natural references like banana leaf and orchid prints, dragonfly jewelry and butterfly beading on evening wear.
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Washington Post, "Armani explores connection with nature in ethereal looks," 22 Sep. 2019
See MoreThese 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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More Definitions for bead
bead
nounEnglish 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 \
\Kids Definition of bead
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a small piece of solid material with a hole through it by which it can be strung on a thread
2 : a small round drop of liquid
a bead of sweat
bead
verbbeaded; beading
Kids Definition of bead (Entry 2 of 2)
: to decorate or cover with beads
a beaded dress His face was beaded with sweat.
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Comments on bead
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Time Traveler for bead
The first known use of bead was before the 12th century
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