bead meaning

UK /biːd/ US /bid/ 1 syllable

bead (noun): a small ball with a hole through the middle.

bead has 6 meanings in this dictionary, as noun and verb.

bead as a noun

  1. a small ball with a hole through the middle

    Type of: jewelry

    Kinds: bugle

    Related forms: beady

  2. a shape that is spherical and small
    • he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops
    • beads of sweat on his forehead

    Synonyms: drop, pearl

    Type of: sphere

    Kinds: dewdrop, teardrop

    Related forms: beady

  3. a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture

    Synonyms: beading, beadwork, astragal

    Type of: molding

    Kinds: quirk bead

bead as a verb

  1. form into beads, as of water or sweat, for example

    Type of: form

  2. decorate by sewing beads onto
    • bead the wedding gown

    Type of: decorate

  3. string together like beads

    Type of: string

How to pronounce bead

bead is pronounced /biːd/ in British English and /bid/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with bead

Word lists: words starting with BE · words ending in AD · 4-letter words

More about bead on Wikipedia.