bead
noun
\ ˈbēd
\
\
Definition of bead
(Entry 1 of 2)
b
beads plural
: a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary
2
: a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary)
4
: a small ball-shaped body: such as
a
: a drop of sweat or blood
b
: a bubble formed in or on a beverage
c
: a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight
d
: a blob or a line of weld metal
5
: a projecting rim, band, or molding
6
: a precise knowledge or understanding
—used in such phrases as get a bead on
bead
verb
beaded;
beading;
beads
Definition of bead (Entry 2 of 2)
2
: to string together like beads
: to form into a bead
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Synonyms for bead
Synonyms: Noun
blob, driblet, drip, drop, droplet, glob, globule
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Examples of bead in a Sentence
Noun
Beads of sweat began rolling down their faces. squeeze a bead or two of glue onto the seamRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
In the Raiders’ first practice last Saturday, Abram had a bead on two potential interceptions. — Matt Kawahara, SFChronicle.com, "Rookie safety Johnathan Abram making presence heard with Raiders," 31 July 2019 Despite the bold nature of his exploits, Berg was apparently a difficult man to get a bead on. — Kenneth Turan, Twin Cities, "‘The Spy Behind Home Plate’ presents a ballplayer who was one of a kind," 11 July 2019 People reports that each panel of her dress was embroidered with 50,400 crystal eclats and 50,400 white beads. — Krystin Arneson, Glamour, "Every Single Detail We Know About Sophie Turner's Custom Louis Vuitton Wedding Dress," 6 July 2019 Each panel of Turner’s dress was embroidered with 50,400 crystal eclats and 50,400 white beads. — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Sophie Turner's One-of-a-Kind Louis Vuitton Wedding Dress Took More Than 350 Hours to Make," 5 July 2019 Harris has taught his children and grandchildren to sew; even his 4-year-old grandson can string beads on thread. — Laura Testino, nola.com, "Created new each year, Mardi Gras Indian suits find more permanent homes," 28 June 2019 Despite the bold nature of his exploits, Berg was apparently a difficult man to get a bead on. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘The Spy Behind Home Plate’ presents a ballplayer who was one of a kind," 27 June 2019 Despite the bold nature of his exploits, Berg was apparently a difficult man to get a bead on. — Kenneth Turan, Detroit Free Press, "Well-done doc reveals story of a ballplayer-turned-spy," 20 June 2019 Others sit vigil and pray the rosary, a string of beads with a cross at the end. — Washington Post, "Many turn to El Paso’s Catholic traditions after massacre," 9 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Her interests included painting, spinning, weaving, beading, writing, and traveling. — Orlando Sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/16," 16 June 2019 Neon parsley oil wells up from the bottom to bead the surface, while the melting cream sends forth emissaries of acid and fat, making the broth simultaneously brighter and richer. — Fortune, "Restaurant Review: Iceland’s Slippurinn Is an Ephemeral Culinary Destination," 11 Aug. 2019 Their hair blows in the wind, and their skin is beaded with water from floating in forest lakes. — Eryn Loeb, Longreads, "When Friendship Fades But the Images Linger," 9 Aug. 2019 Her interests included painting, spinning, weaving, beading, writing, and traveling. — Orlando Sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/16," 16 June 2019 Beyoncé wore a bodacious custom one-shoulder beaded merlot Walter Collection gown with a high slit and sweetheart neckline, paired with Jimmy Choo Viola sandals and Messika jewelry. — Paula Rogo, Essence, "Beyoncé Stuns In Custom Gown At Jay-Z's Niece's Birthday Party," 29 July 2019 Her interests included painting, spinning, weaving, beading, writing, and traveling. — Orlando Sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/16," 16 June 2019 The process that formed the fog is similar to the forces that cause droplets of water to bead up on a cool glass of water on a hot summer day, weather service meteorologist Ben Miller said. — Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fog consumes lakefront just before Milwaukee fireworks show. But the show goes on!," 3 July 2019 Prada beaded and embroidered plastic flowers on tie-dyed skirts and shorts to make a young, edgy collection. — David Syrek, chicagotribune.com, "Flowers rule for summer — in fashion and home design," 26 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for bead
bead
noun
English Language Learners Definition of bead
: a small, usually round piece of glass, wood, stone, etc., that has a hole through its center and that is put on a string with other similar pieces and worn as jewelry or that is sewn onto clothing
: a small, round drop of liquid (such as water or blood)
See the full definition for bead in the English Language Learners Dictionary