Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

bey

noun
Save Word
\ ˈbā How to pronounce bey (audio) \

Definition of bey

1a : a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire
b : the former native ruler of Tunis or Tunisia
2 —used as a courtesy title in Turkey and Egypt

First Known Use of bey

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for bey

Turkish, gentleman, chief

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bey

Statistics for bey

Cite this Entry

“Bey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bey. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More from Merriam-Webster on bey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bey

Comments on bey

What made you want to look up bey? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

touchstone

Listen to the pronunciation of touchstone

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Thing: Flower Edition

  • shrubs having opposite leaves and showy clusters of usually sterile white pink or bluish flowers
  • Name that flower
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games