Definition of bite
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound
was bitten by a dog
b : to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis getting bitten by mosquitoes a snake bit his leg
2 : to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon
bit by his sword
3 : to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to
the sleet biting our faces
4 : to take hold of
help the pliers bite the part
1 : to bite or have the habit of biting something
This cat bites.
2 of a weapon or tool : to cut, pierce, or take hold
bites down on the part The anchor bites into the ocean floor.
3 : to cause irritation or smarting
Her criticisms really bite.
4 : corrode
5a of fish : to take a bait
The fish aren't biting today.
b : to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)
c : to accept a suggestion or an offer
offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite
6 : to take or maintain a firm hold
The anchor didn't bite well.
7 : to produce a negative effect
the recession began to bite
9 US slang : to imitate or copy (someone or something) especially without permission
There are lots of rappers biting his style—but there's only one James Brown! — Spin
bite off more than one can chew bite one's tongue bite the bullet bite the dust bite the hand that feeds one
: to undertake more than one can handle
: to hold back (as from a reluctance to offend) a remark one would like to make
: to enter with resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of action
1 : to fall dead especially in battle
2a : to suffer humiliation or defeat
b : to come to an end
: to injure a benefactor maliciously
bite
noun plural bites
Definition of bite (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : the act of biting took a bite of the sandwich felt a bite at the end of the fishing line
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
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
7a : 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quizTrue or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share bite
Time Traveler for bite
The first known use of bite was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century