alphabet

noun

al·​pha·​bet ˈal-fə-ˌbet How to pronounce alphabet (audio)
-bət
1
a
: a set of letters or other characters with which one or more languages are written especially if arranged in a customary order
b
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
2
alphabet table

Examples of alphabet in a Sentence

The Roman alphabet begins with “A” and ends with “Z.” you need to learn the alphabet of genealogy before you can move on to more advanced study
Recent Examples on the Web Medigap policies are standardized, and there are typically about eight different plans from which a new Medicare enrollee can choose (denoted by letter of the alphabet), all with varying benefits and costs. The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 How to read Roman numerals Roman numerals use letters of the alphabet and used in combination the higher the number. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Afterall, this floating ice shelf is comprised of snow that dropped before the rise and fall of Rome, before Jesus or the Buddha were born, before the invention of the alphabet. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 7 Feb. 2024 For November 29 Word 1 (top left) hint — the final letter in the Greek alphabet. Kris Holt, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 At daycare, her granddaughters are gaining new vocabulary and learning the colors, the alphabet, and numbers. Bryce Covert, The New Republic, 25 Oct. 2023 Local specimens include lightning whelks and angel wings from the bay and lions-paw scallops and alphabet cones from the Gulf. Robin Soslow, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Instagram/Hailey Bieber For a super easy no-pro-required way to get a similar look, Amazon is stacked with alphabet nail art stickers like these. Marci Robin, Allure, 13 Dec. 2023 Published in 1968, the height of the Vietnam War, The Alphabet Tree is about a tree full of alphabet letters that join to form words. Maya P. Lim, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alphabet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alphabete, from Late Latin alphabetum, from Greek alphabētos, from alpha + bēta beta

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alphabet was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near alphabet

Cite this Entry

“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alphabet

noun
al·​pha·​bet ˈal-fə-ˌbet How to pronounce alphabet (audio)
-bət
1
: the letters of a language arranged in their usual order
2
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
Etymology

Middle English alphabete "alphabet," derived from Greek alphabētos "alphabet," from alpha and bēta, the first and second letters of the Greek alphabet

More from Merriam-Webster on alphabet

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