bite

noun

plural bites

1

a

: the act of biting

took a bite of the sandwich

felt a bite at the end of the fishing line

b

: the manner of biting

especially, dentistry : occlusion sense 1b

wore braces to correct her bite

2

: food: such as

a

: the amount of food taken at a bite : morsel

couldn't eat another bite

b

: a small amount of food : snack

have a bite to eat

3

archaic

a

: cheat, trick

b

: sharper

4

: a wound made by biting

The bite became infected.

5

: the hold or grip by which friction (see friction sense 1b) is created or purchase (see purchase entry 2 sense 3a(1)) is obtained

6

: a surface that creates friction or is brought into contact with another for the purpose of obtaining a hold

7

a

: a keen incisive quality

a writing style that lacks bite

a satirical bite

b

: a sharp penetrating effect

The soup has a peppery bite.

the bite of the wind on our cheeks

8

etching : a single exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action of acid

9

: an amount (as of money) taken usually in one operation for one purpose : share

a 15 percent bite for his manager

10

: sound bite

a 10-second news bite

11

: an expression of interest in something being offered

In seven previous days, the seller didn't get a single bite [=no one expressed interest in buying what was offered].

—Jerry Garrett et al.

Synonyms of bite

• edge
• bitterness
• acidity
• spice

Examples of bite in a Sentence

He ate the candy bar in three quick bites.

She gave her lip a gentle bite.

The fisherman felt a bite at the end of his line and reeled in a fish.

My teenage daughter wears a special device at night to correct her bite.

Don't scratch that mosquito bite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any open wound, even a small break in the skin like a scratch or an insect bite, can attract these flies, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Lacing the rice with fresh ginger ensures that gingery warmth is carried through each bite. —Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

Pritt said that, to prevent tick bites, people should stay in the middle of trails while hiking to avoid contact with taller grasses that can harbor ticks. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 4 June 2026

Stroll and sample restaurant bites along Lincoln Avenue in San Jose’s Willow Glen district on Wednesday, June 10, and the proceeds will go to good causes. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

derivative of bite entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bite

• bite back
• bite off more than one can chew
• bite one's tongue
• bite plate
• bite-size
• bite-sized
• bite someone's head off
• bite the bullet
• bite the dust
• bite the hand that feeds one
• come back to bite one
• put the bite on
• rat-bite fever
• someone's bark is worse than his/her bite
• someone's bark is worse than their bite
• sound-bite
• won't bite

Rhymes for bite

• bight
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight
• kite

Kids Definition

bite

1 of 2 verb

ˈbīt 

bit ˈbit  ; bitten ˈbit-ən  ; biting ˈbīt-iŋ 

1

: to seize, grip, or cut into with or as if with teeth

bite an apple

2

: to wound, pierce, or sting

bitten by a snake

a mosquito bit me

3

: to cause to smart : sting

pepper bites the mouth

4

: to eat into

acid biting into metal

5

: to take bait

the fish are biting

6

: to respond to something tempting

bite

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a seizing of something by biting

b

: the grip taken in biting

2

a

: the amount of food taken at a bite

b

: a small amount of food : snack

3

: a wound made by biting

4

: a sharp penetrating quality or effect

the bite of the cold wind on our cheeks

Etymology

Old English bītan "to bite, grip with the teeth" — related to beetle

Medical Definition

bite

1 of 2 verb

ˈbīt 

bit ˈbit  ; bitten ˈbit-ᵊn  also bit; biting ˈbīt-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound

2

: to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis

intransitive verb

: to bite or have the habit of biting something

bite

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or manner of biting

especially : occlusion sense 2a

2

: a wound made by biting