be

A1
Pronunciation
/ˈbē/
/(ˈ)bē/
Verb
15 definition(s)
1 Definition

to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize

Example Sentences
  • let x be 10
2 Definition

to have identity with : to constitute the same idea or object as

Example Sentences
  • The first person I met was my brother.
3 Definition

to constitute the same class as

Example Sentences
  • These three books are the authoritative works on the president's life.
4 Definition

to have a specified qualification or characterization

Example Sentences
  • The leaves are green.
5 Definition

to belong to the class of Note: In senses 1a through 1e, be functions as a simple copula or linking verb.

Example Sentences
  • Keeping this room clean is your responsibility.
6 Definition

to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live

Example Sentences
  • I think, therefore I am.
7 Definition

to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position

Example Sentences
  • The book is on the table.
8 Definition

to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted —used only in the infinitive form

9 Definition

to take place : occur

Example Sentences
  • The concert was last night.
10 Definition

to come or go

Example Sentences
  • has never been to the circus
11 Definition

archaic : belong, befall

Example Sentences
  • … to thine and Albany's issue be this perpetual.—William Shakespeare
12 Definition

—used as an auxiliary (see auxiliary entry 2 sense 3) with the past participle of transitive verbs to form the passive voice

13 Definition

—used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action

14 Definition

—used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses

15 Definition

—used with to + infinitive to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation

Abbreviation (1)
1 definition(s)
1 Definition

beryllium

Abbreviation (2)
5 definition(s)
1 Definition

Baumé

2 Definition

bachelor of education

3 Definition

bachelor of engineering

4 Definition

bill of exchange

5 Definition

Black English

Prefix
27 definition(s)
1 Definition

British English

2 Definition

on : around : over

Example Sentences
  • besmear
3 Definition

to a great or greater degree : thoroughly

Example Sentences
  • befuddle
4 Definition

excessively : ostentatiously —in intensive verbs formed from simple verbs and in adjectives based on adjectives ending in -ed

5 Definition

about : to : at : upon : against : across

Example Sentences
  • bestride
6 Definition

make : cause to be : treat as

Example Sentences
  • befriend
7 Definition

call or dub especially excessively

Example Sentences
  • bedoctor
8 Definition

affect, afflict, treat, provide, or cover with especially excessively

Example Sentences
  • befog
9 Definition

to have the same meaning as : serve as a sign for

Example Sentences
  • let x be 10
10 Definition

to have identity with

Example Sentences
  • she is my mother
11 Definition

to have the quality or character of

Example Sentences
  • the leaves are green
12 Definition

to belong to the class of

Example Sentences
  • apes are mammals
13 Definition

exist sense 1, live

Example Sentences
  • there once was a knight
14 Definition

to occupy a place, situation, or position

Example Sentences
  • I was sick
15 Definition

to remain undisturbed or uninterrupted —used only in infinitive form

16 Definition

to take place : occur

Example Sentences
  • the concert was last night
17 Definition

—used with the past participle of transitive verbs to form the passive auxiliary

18 Definition

—used with the present participle to express continuous action

19 Definition

—used with the infinitive with to to express the future or something one must do

20 Definition

provide with or cover with : dress up with

Example Sentences
  • bewhiskered
21 Definition

about : to : upon

Example Sentences
  • bemoan
22 Definition

make : cause to be

Example Sentences
  • befriend
23 Definition

Baumé

24 Definition

beryllium

25 Definition

barium enema

26 Definition

below elbow

27 Definition

board-eligible

Symbol
1 definition(s)
1 Definition

or less commonly bes or be's —used in the uninflected form be or sometimes the form bes or be's in African American English and to varying degrees in some other varieties of English to indicate that an action or state is habitual or frequent Note: This feature of African American English often occurs between the subject and predicate of a sentence, and can precede noun phrases, prepositional phrases, adverbial phrases, adjectives, passive verbs, -ing verbs, and the African American English feature perfective done. In linguistics, this use is referred to as aspectual be, habitual be, or invariant be. It usually occurs in the uninflected form be, as in the first two examples above; however, in African American English in particular, it sometimes takes the form bes or be's. see also been entry 1