bead

1 of 2

noun

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.

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
All food and wine was included; any extras were paid for with beads. Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 Her hair is styled in a braided look, with red and white beads at the ends of her bangs. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 While some objects were made locally, others had a more distant origin, such as glass beads from Iran and a bronze bucket, possibly from Ireland. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 The Macy’s department store in New York City created a special Madonna department, selling not only tour merch but clothing and accessories, from crucifix earrings and fingerless gloves to bangles and rosary beads, to help fans get their look together for the shows. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024 Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit $18 This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 See what was found inside The metal detectorists discovered four brooches, some buckles, a tubular pendant, a bronze bead, a ring and fragments of more broaches, the association said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Medium-level exposure may have afflicted workers and artists who used cinnabar to adorn beads, walls, burials and more. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 As the moon continues its trek across the sun’s face, the diamond ring and Baily’s beads and the partial solar eclipse will appear on the opposite side of the moon until the sun fully reappears. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
After 10 minutes, both liquids beaded on top and without absorbing into the fibers. Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024 Between the unbuttoned Tibi vest, latex garters, and beaded Monôt halter that betray a hint of nipple, the actor has been taken a big swings with her fashion. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 Emily wore a metallic Elie Saab Couture gown with cutout details and beading all over. Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 The front of the top has what appears to be beaded chains over a sheer fabric that just barely frees the nipple. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2024 Emily Ratajkowski, for example, wore a directional Jacquemus bridal look, Cardi B was swathed in inky Atelier Versace spring 2003 lace, Kylie Jenner came dripping in blood-red Ludovic de Saint Sernin beads, and Kim Kardashian showed that simple is often the most impactful in pearlescent Balenciaga. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 The site also boasted musket parts and 1,200 pieces of lead shot—mostly hunting ammunition—as well as stone and glass beads that colonists likely traded with Native Americans. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Similar stories played out with other forms of money, such as wampum beads. Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 A touch of sparkle came from the black rhinestones beaded waistline on her dress, as well as De Beers jewelry. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near bead

Cite this Entry

“Bead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bead. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bead

1 of 2 noun
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on bead

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