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
verb
beaded; beading; beads
Definition of bead (Entry 2 of 2)
2
: to string together like beads
: to form into a bead
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for bead
The first known use of bead was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century