beta

[bey-tuh, bee-]

noun

1. the second letter of the Greek alphabet (β, B).

2. the consonant sound represented by the second letter of the Greek alphabet.

3. Astronomy.,  Beta, a star that is usually the second brightest of a constellation.

   The second brightest star in Taurus is Beta Tauri.

4. Chemistry.

   1. one of the possible positions of an atom or group in a compound.

   2. one of two or more isomeric compounds.

5. the second of any series, as in chemistry or physics.

6. Computers.,  the phase of hardware or software development in which a product is tested in the environment for which it was designed.

   Our newest product, currently in beta with new features being added regularly, is perfect for busy professionals who need to organize their calendars.

7. Also called beta coefficient. Also called 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.

8. Trademark.,  Beta, a brand of tape format for VCR tape, incompatible with other formats.

9. Chiefly British.,  a grade showing that a student is in the middle or second of three scholastic sections in a class.

10. beta male.

adjective

1. Computers.,  being, relating to, or undergoing the phase of product development in which a product is tested in the environment for which it was designed.

   The beta version of the new game, featuring a four-player mode, will be unveiled next month.

2. 1. (of an animal) having the second-highest rank in a dominance hierarchy.

      the beta female in a pack of meerkats.

   2. Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.,  being or relating to a man who is perceived to be weak, mild-mannered, and unimpressive.

beta

¹

/ ˈbiːtə /

noun

1. the second letter in the Greek alphabet (Β, β), a consonant, transliterated as b

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

3. (modifier)

   1. involving or relating to electrons

      beta emitter

   2. relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid

      beta iron

   3. relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound

Beta

²

/ ˈbiːtə /

noun

1. (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) a star in a constellation, usually the second brightest

   Beta Persei

Word History and Origins

Origin of beta¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek bêta, from Phoenician bt “house,” also the name of the second letter of the Phoenician alphabet; beth

Word History and Origins

Origin of beta¹

from Greek bēta , from Hebrew; see _beth

Example Sentences

In 2020, Tesla rolled out a beta version of its Full Self Driving autonomous driving feature.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are other companies in the business of AI-likeness protection, including Loti, which charges up to $2,500 a month for public figures and has a free program in beta.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Through a series of experiments, the researchers traced the connection to a familiar culprit: amyloid beta, the protein known for forming harmful plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Read more on Science Daily

While Amazon hasn’t started service for customers, it aims to begin testing a beta version of Kuiper later in 2025 or early next year, Chief Executive Andy Jassy said on a recent investor call.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the moment Aviant is in a "beta phase" - only delivering 10 items a week, while they check everything works.

Read more on BBC