bit

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a(1)
: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
(2)
: a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed
put a new bit in the drill
used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole
b
bits plural : the jaws (see jaw entry 1 sense 2a) of tongs or pincers
2
: something bitten or held with the teeth:
a
: the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse
b
: the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder
3
: something that curbs or restrains
4
: the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a)

Illustration of bit

Illustration of bit
  • 1curb
  • 2 snaffle

bit

2 of 4

verb

bitted; bitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse)
b
: to control as if with a bit
2
: to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key)

bit

3 of 4

noun (2)

plural bits
1
: a small quantity of food
especially : a small delicacy
2
a
: a small piece or quantity of some material thing
broken bits of glass
picking bits of lint off her sweater
b(1)
British : a coin of a specified small denomination
a threepenny bit
(2)
: a unit of value equal to ¹/₈ of a U.S. dollar (12 ¹/₂ cents)
used only of even multiples
four bits

Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount.

see also two bits sense 1
3
: something small or unimportant of its kind: such as
a
: a brief period : while
wait a bit longer
see also a bit, a little bit
b
: an indefinite usually small degree, extent, or amount
a bit of a rascal
every bit as powerful
a bit too sweet
see also a bit, a bit much, a little bit
c theater
(1)
: a small part usually with spoken lines in a theatrical performance
a bit part
bit players
(2)
: a usually short theatrical routine
a corny comedy bit
4
: the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role
rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhoodVance Packard

bit

4 of 4

noun (3)

1
computers : a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off)
2
computers : the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data
Phrases
bit by bit
: by degrees : little by little
getting better bit by bit
to bits
: totally, thoroughly
thrilled to bits

Examples of bit in a Sentence

Noun (2) she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate bits of cookie scattered on the table I'll have only a bit of food right now this will only take a bit known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Usually when India are thrown against the wall at home, the authorities allow for a little bit of home cooking. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Even the room feels a little bit rich, with dark walls, glossy wood panelling, and an austere display of sake bottles against the back of the sushi bar. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
The county also confirmed the disease in eight skunks, two raccoons, two foxes and a dog, who also bit a person. Brooke Park, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Oct. 2024 Goofy bits from the first half return in poignant fashion, and Song’s posture changes, becoming tighter and more withdrawn. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bit 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bit.' 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 (1)

Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic *biti- (whence Old Saxon biti "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of bit entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English bite, bit "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic *bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Noun (3)

from binary digit

Note: The term bit was introduced into general circulation by Claude shannon in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near bit

Cite this Entry

“Bit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bit. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bit

1 of 3 noun
1
: the usually metal bar attached to a bridle and put in the mouth of a horse
2
: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
the drill bit

bit

2 of 3 noun
1
: a small piece or amount
2
: a short time
rest a bit

bit

3 of 3 noun
1
: a unit of computer information that represents the selection of one of two possible choices (as yes or no, on or off)
2
: something (as an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a punched hole) that physically represents a bit
Etymology

Noun

Old English bite "act of biting"

Noun

earlier bit "small piece of food," from Old English bita (same meaning)

Noun

binary digit

More from Merriam-Webster on bit

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