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• beck
  beck

  noun

  a gesture used to signal, summon, or direct someone.
• Beck
  Beck

  noun

  Dave, 1894–1993, U.S. labor leader: president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 1952–57.

beck

¹ American  

[bek] / bɛk /

noun

1. a gesture used to signal, summon, or direct someone.

2. Chiefly Scot. a bow or curtsy of greeting.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. Archaic. beckon.

idioms

1. at someone's beck and call, ready to do someone's bidding; subject to someone's slightest wish.

   He has three servants at his beck and call.

beck ² American  

[bek] / bɛk /

noun

North England.

1. a brook, especially a swiftly running stream with steep banks.

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beck ³ American  

[bek] / bɛk /

verb (used with object)

Metalworking.

1. to form (a billet or the like) into a tire or hoop by rolling or hammering on a mandrel or anvil.

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Beck ⁴ American  

[bek] / bɛk /

noun

1. Dave, 1894–1993, U.S. labor leader: president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 1952–57.

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beck ¹ British  

/ bɛk /

noun

1. a nod, wave, or other gesture or signal

2. ready to obey someone's orders instantly; subject to someone's slightest whim

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beck ² British  

/ bɛk /

noun

1. (in N England) a stream, esp a swiftly flowing one

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beck More Idioms  

1. see at someone's beck and call.

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Etymology

Origin of beck¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb bekken, bec, variant of beckenen, bek(e)nen beckon; noun derivative of the verb

Origin of beck²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English bek, bec(k), from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse bekkr; akin to Old English bæc, bec, bece, Dutch beek, German Bach “brook”

Origin of beck³

First recorded in 1830–35 as beck-iron; verb use of the noun beck, shortening of beck-iron, a variant of bick-iron

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beck Beck

And as you imply, the new chairman of the Fed will have hundreds of Ph.D.s at his beck and call for whatever studies he may desire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026

If they want nutrition advice, wellness coaching, or help with complex medical issues, she’s at their beck and call.

From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025

“You can control traffic, you can control lighting. All of the equipment is at your beck and call.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2024

In her book, Mulley describes two occasions when Granville was able to turn a snarling guard dog kept by border patrols into her pet that would follow her beck and call.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2024

In the first place, why should some strangers down the road be at our beck and call?”

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

“What I hope for when people see my content is not for people to overhaul their lives, but to make small shifts,” zu Beck writes in a recent essay for The Skylark.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026

Mr. Beck derided the “Douglas Factors” that ensure consideration is given on adverse actions that discipline is afforded commensurate with the actions of each employee and not done with disparate influence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

“We think we’ve found a little bit of a shortcut here,” Beck said, noting the combined company will be vertically integrated, able to design, build, launch and operate its own satellites.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

Since the group disbanded in 1987, he has become a serial collaborator, working with everyone from The Pretenders and Talking Heads to Bryan Ferry, Oasis, Blondie, Beck, Modest Mouse, The Cribs and Franz Ferdinand.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Following his helicopter evacuation from the Western Cwm, Beck had his right arm amputated halfway below the elbow.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

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