bus

noun, often attributive

\ ˈbəs

plural buses also busses

Definition of bus

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers usually along a fixed route according to a schedule took the bus to work double-decker buses waiting at the bus stop

b : automobile

2 : a small hand truck

3a electrical engineering : bus bar

b computers : a set of parallel conductors (see conductor sense d(1)) in a computer system that forms a main transmission path

4 : a spacecraft or missile that carries one or more detachable devices (such as warheads)

throw (someone) under the bus

informal

: to criticize, blame, or punish (someone in a vulnerable position) especially in order to avoid blame or gain an advantage … we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation.— Donna Shalala But he went out of his way to make clear that this one wasn't really on him. The problem lay with underlings, whom he quickly threw under the bus.— Rem Rieder

bus

verb

bused also bussed; busing also bussing

Definition of bus (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to travel by a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers usually along a fixed route according to a schedule : to travel by bus

2 : to work as a busboy

transitive verb

1 : to transport by bus busing kids to school Students were bused in for the game.

2a : clear sense 4d bus dishes

b : to remove dirty dishes from bus tables

bus

abbreviation

Definition of bus (Entry 3 of 3)

business

Synonyms The History of Bus More Example Sentences Learn More about bus

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The History of Bus

Noun

For nearly three centuries, French mathematician Blaise Pascal was credited with building the first mechanical calculator. Then, in 1935, historian Franz Hammer discovered papers proving that German mathematician Wilhelm Schickard had beaten Pascal to it by 18 years. But in 1661 Pascal initiated a world first that has not been discredited: he conceived the world’s first bus service, proposing that a number of coaches should “circulate along predetermined routes in Paris at regular intervals regardless of the number of people,” and pick up passengers for a small fixed fare. The word bus is short for omnibus, which means “for everyone.” It was first used in this sense circa 1823, and referred to the fact that anyone could join the coach along its route, unlike stagecoaches, which had to be pre-booked.

Examples of bus in a Sentence

Noun

She boarded a bus in Nashville. Are you traveling by train or by bus?

Verb

He buses tables at the local diner.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That is the name given to a popular theory that the price of a plain slice at pizzerias throughout the city tracks with the cost of a bus or subway trip. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "The MetroCard Derailed the Price of a Slice—at Least That’s One Theory," 2 Mar. 2019 But, having appeared in the epic music video to the song last year alongside Queen B, Serena is soon revealed from behind the wall, arriving onto the stage completely unannounced and standing atop of a bus. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Serena Williams Made a Surprise Beyoncé Cameo on 'Lip Sync Battle' With Brooklyn Decker," 29 Jan. 2019 The same motor will also power a low-cost electric bus planned to begin service testing that year. — Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, "Speaking of Spokes: The Design That Could Change How Electric Car Motors Are Made," 20 Nov. 2018 Owning a vintage Volkswagen bus or travel trailer, however, can be hard thanks to never-ending maintenance and pricey repair costs. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "This Westfalia camper van is giving us 1950s-diner vibes," 1 Oct. 2018 A few months ago, downtown Orlando building manager Ray Jordan witnessed a man who appeared to be homeless get off a city bus, drop his pants and defecate in public. — Kate Santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Downtown Orlando needs full-time drop-in center for homeless, leaders say," 13 July 2018 This is on top of a dozen or so other subway taxes and a $2.50 to $2.75 surcharge that Democrats imposed last year on taxi and Uber rides that is raising only enough revenue to offset declining subway and bus ridership. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Nickel-and-Diming Democrats," 21 Feb. 2019 A few cars trickled in to drop off students, but no buses were seen. — John Raby, The Seattle Times, "Despite bill’s demise, W.Va. teachers to strike for 2nd day," 20 Feb. 2019 But there are bus lines in every city because there’s the two grandmas who really depend on that to get to the store. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Eyeing a 2020 run, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti explains how he (or someone else) could beat Trump," 17 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The students are being bused to Noblesville High School. — Ryan Martin, Indianapolis Star, "Noblesville middle school shooting: 1 injured, shooter in custody," 25 May 2018 Last time, the jury was drawn from Pittsburgh and bused here after Mr. Cosby said he was worried that potential jurors in Montgomery County had been affected by pretrial publicity. — Graham Bowley, New York Times, "Potential Cosby Jurors Are Asked About #MeToo Bias," 2 Apr. 2018 In Kudrovo in the Leningradsky region outside St. Petersburg, observer Sergei Dzhus discovered people apparently bused in to a traditionally low-turnout area to boost participation. — Francesca Ebel, Fox News, "Russian vote problems: Ballot stuffing, coercion, gimmicks," 18 Mar. 2018 Kiev supporters said their rivals were busing in street fighters dressed as clergymen; the Moscow arm said its opponents were bolstered by nationalist groups. — James Marson, WSJ, "Ukraine Churchgoers Gain Powerful Ally in Challenge to Moscow," 12 Sep. 2018 The newspaper discovered that Rawson-Neal bused roughly 1,500 patients out of Nevada between 2008 and 2013, a third of them to California. — Cynthia Hubert, sacbee, "Homeless mental patients given ‘Greyhound therapy’ from Las Vegas could get a payout | The Sacramento Bee," 21 Mar. 2018 March 1984 Parents of children bused to the townships win from Dillin the right to vote in suburban school board elections. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "50 years ago the Justice Dept. sued IPS to force desegregation," 31 May 2018 The attack appeared to break the will of Douma’s rebels, who agreed on Sunday to a deal with the government to hand the area over and be bused to another area outside government control in the country’s north. — Ben Hubbard, New York Times, "Dozens Suffocate in Syria as Government Is Accused of Chemical Attack," 8 Apr. 2018 Uninjured middle school students were bused over to the high school, where they were held before being released to their families. — Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, "School will resume on Tuesday for all Noblesville schools except at West Middle School," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.