beta
the second letter of the Greek alphabet (β, B).
the consonant sound represented by the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
Beta, Astronomy. a star that is usually the second brightest of a constellation: The second brightest star in Taurus is Beta Tauri.
Chemistry.
one of the possible positions of an atom or group in a compound.
one of two or more isomeric compounds.
the second of any series, as in chemistry or physics.
Also called be·ta co·ef·fi·cient [bey-tuh-koh-uh-fish-uhnt; or, especially British, bee-], /ˈbeɪ tə ˌkoʊ ə fɪʃ ənt; or, especially British, ˈbi-/, beta line. Stock Exchange. an arbitrary measure of the volatility of a given stock using an index of the volatility of the market as a whole: A beta of 1.1 indicates a stock that is 10 percent more volatile than the market.
Computers. the phase of hardware or software development in which a beta test occurs: Our newest product, currently in beta with new features being added regularly, is perfect for busy professionals who need to organize their calendars.
Beta, Trademark. a brand of tape format for VCR tape, incompatible with other formats.: Compare VHS.
Chiefly British. a grade showing that a student is in the middle or second of three scholastic sections in a class.: Compare alpha (def. 8), gamma (def. 9).
Computers. being, relating to, or undergoing the phase of product development in which a beta test occurs: The beta version of the new game, featuring a four-player mode, will be unveiled next month.
(of an animal) having the second-highest rank in a dominance hierarchy: the beta female in a pack of meerkats.
Slang: Sometimes Disparaging. being or relating to a man who is perceived to be weak, mild-mannered, and unimpressive.
Origin of beta
1Words Nearby beta
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use beta in a sentence
Here are a few reasons why that is and why I believe GPT-3, a beta version of which was recently released by the OpenAI Foundation, might be a game changer in legal and other knowledge-focused organizations.
What does GPT-3 mean for the future of the legal profession? | Walter Thompson | August 28, 2020 | TechCrunchRecommendations, which were released as a closed beta in November, are now available globally.
Microsoft Advertising Editor gets updated with recommendations and campaign-level targeting | George Nguyen | August 19, 2020 | Search Engine LandIt is still in beta and even though Google has publicly announced it, it is not yet available to everyone.
Google Search Console Insights for content creators | Barry Schwartz | August 17, 2020 | Search Engine LandInstead, it gave the algorithm to select researchers who applied for a private beta, with the goal of gathering their feedback and commercializing the technology by the end of the year.
A college kid’s fake, AI-generated blog fooled tens of thousands. This is how he made it. | Karen Hao | August 14, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewGoogle recently took the rich result test out of beta and announced it will deprecate the older structured data testing tool.
Google rich results test tool adds support for article structured data | Barry Schwartz | August 10, 2020 | Search Engine Land
Whether or not beta-version wearables are your thing, some technology is just impossible to ignore (or destroy).
Trotter graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and became the first black man named to Phi beta Kappa.
For starters, the Ello beta launched without any privacy controls or blocking options.
beta amyloid, which OL-1 is meant to lower, was first implicated in the disease at its identification by Alois Alzheimer in 1906.
Trial Drug Reverses Alzheimer’s Disease in Mice | Elizabeth Lopatto | May 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDominating the research field is a protein called beta amyloid, identified by Alois Alzheimer in 1906.
Twenty Years of Alzheimer’s Research May Have Focused on the Wrong Protein | Elizabeth Lopatto | April 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAcetone is derived from decomposition of diacetic acid, and this in turn from beta-oxybutyric acid by oxidation.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Toddbeta is not formed from alpha; one is first, the other is second, and no one knows why.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)We want to work out a substitute for beta that will keep the flavor of the drink without the psycho-physiological effects.
Hunter Patrol | Henry Beam Piper and John J. McGuireOf course, it's very luxurious at beta Phi House, but her little room here isn't to be scorned.
Molly Brown's Sophomore Days | Nell SpeedRadioactive atoms almost always decay by emitting negatively charged beta particles usually accompanied by gamma rays.
The Atomic Fingerprint | Bernard Keisch
British Dictionary definitions for beta (1 of 2)
/ (ˈbiːtə) /
the second letter in the Greek alphabet (Β, β), a consonant, transliterated as b
the second highest grade or mark, as in an examination
(modifier)
involving or relating to electrons: beta emitter
relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid: beta iron
relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound
Origin of beta
1British Dictionary definitions for Beta (2 of 2)
/ (ˈbiːtə) /
(foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) a star in a constellation, usually the second brightest: Beta Persei
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
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