b

1 of 3

noun

ˈbē

plural b's or bs ˈbēz

often capitalized, often attributive

: the second letter of the English alphabet

names that begin with b

: a graphic representation of this letter

in the shape of a b

: the speech sound that the written letter b represents : a speech counterpart of orthographic b

: the seventh tone of a C-major scale (see scale entry 5 sense 1)

in the key of b

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter b

the b on the laptop's keyboard

: one designated b especially as the second in order or class

I chose option b.

: a grade rating a student's work as good but short of excellent

: one graded or rated with a B

a b student

: something shaped like the letter B

capitalized : the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter B and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the A blood group

2 of 3

abbreviation

bachelor

bacillus

back

bag

bale

bass

basso

bat

Baumé

before

Bible

billion

bishop

black

blue

bolivar

book

born

bottom

brick

brightness

British

bulb

butut

3 of 3

symbol

boron

Example Sentences

Noun There are two b's in the word “abbey.” All of their children's names begin with b. a song in the key of B got a B in math

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of b was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/b. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

noun

ˈbē

often capitalized

: the second letter of the English alphabet

: a musical note referred to by the letter B : the seventh tone of a C-major scale

: a grade rating a student's work as good

Medical Definition

1 of 3 abbreviation

bacillus

barometric

bath

Baumé scale

behavior

bel

bicuspid

born

brother

2 of 3 noun

ˈbē

: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter B and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the A blood group

3 of 3 symbol

boron