beading

American  

[bee-ding] / ˈbi dɪŋ /

noun

1. material composed of or adorned with beads.

2. narrow, lacelike trimming or edging.

3. narrow openwork trimming through which ribbon may be run.

4. Architecture, Furniture.

   1. a bead molding.

   2. all of the bead moldings in a single design.

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beading British  

/ ˈbiːdɪŋ /

noun

1. another name for bead

2. Also called: beadwork.  a narrow strip of some material used for edging or ornamentation

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Etymology

Origin of beading

First recorded in 1855–60; bead + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Wednesday's show was no different - with excessive beading, ball gowns and metallic fabrics dominating the catwalk.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

“Axon morphology in living animals is under constant and dynamic change,” says neuroscientist Tong Wang from ShanghaiTech University, who has studied beading in diseased neurons.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 2, 2024

An exhibition, “Like a Memory of Night,” showed work by Sika Amakye, a young Ghanaian artist who employs traditional beading traditions passed down matrilineally.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024

The collection closed with formalwear with clusters of beading, as if barnacles, and coral-inspired embroidery gave a naturalistic touch.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2024

Moisture clung to everything, beading on my skin and dampening my clothes.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs