alpha

[ al-fuh ]
See synonyms for alpha on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the first letter of the Greek alphabet (A, α).

  2. the vowel sound represented by the first letter of the Greek alphabet.

  1. the first; the beginning.

  2. Alpha, Astronomy. used to designate the brightest star in a constellation: Alpha Arietis is the brightest star in Aries.

  3. Chemistry. one of two or more isomeric compounds.

  4. the first in a series of related items: frequently used in chemistry and physics.

  5. Computers. an early phase of hardware or software development, in which an alpha test occurs: Some modules are complete and ready for consumers while others are still in alpha.

  6. Chiefly British. a mark or grade corresponding to an A.: Compare beta (def. 9), gamma (def. 9).

adjective
    • (of an animal) having the highest rank in a dominance hierarchy: the alpha female of an elephant pack.

    • being the most dominant, powerful, or assertive person in a particular group.

    • Slang: Sometimes Disparaging. being or relating to a man who is perceived to be assertive, successful, and sexually dominant.

  1. alphabetical: Put the files in alpha order.

  1. Computers. being, relating to, or undergoing the phase of product development in which an alpha test occurs: This initial release is really an alpha version only available to developers.

  2. Chemistry. relating to or linked to the carbon atom closest to a particular group in an organic molecule.

Origin of alpha

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; from Latin, from Greek álpha, from Phoenician 'lp “ox,” also the name of the first letter of the Phoenician alphabet; cf. aleph

Words Nearby alpha

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use alpha in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alpha (1 of 2)

alpha

/ (ˈælfə) /


noun
  1. the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α), a vowel transliterated as a

  2. British the highest grade or mark, as in an examination

  1. (modifier)

    • involving or relating to helium-4 nuclei: an alpha particle

    • relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid: alpha iron

    • relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound, esp one in which a group is attached to the carbon atom to which the principal group is attached

  2. (modifier) denoting the dominant person or animal in a group: the alpha male

Origin of alpha

1
via Latin from Greek, of Phoenician origin; related to Hebrew āleph, literally: ox

British Dictionary definitions for Alpha (2 of 2)

Alpha

/ (ˈælfə) /


noun
  1. (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) usually the brightest star in a constellation: Alpha Centauri

  2. communications a code word for the letter a

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012