beta

[ bey-tuh; or, especially British, bee- ]
See synonyms for beta on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the second letter of the Greek alphabet (β, B).

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

  1. Beta, Astronomy. a star that is usually the second brightest of a constellation: The second brightest star in Taurus is Beta Tauri.

  2. Chemistry.

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

    • one of two or more isomeric compounds.

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Beta, Trademark. a brand of tape format for VCR tape, incompatible with other formats.: Compare VHS.

  7. 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).

adjective
  1. 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

1
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; cf. beth

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

How to use beta in a sentence

  • There were seven Rep Rho Betas on seven moth-eaten ponies which they had dug up from goodness knows where.

    At Good Old Siwash | George Fitch

British Dictionary definitions for beta (1 of 2)

beta

/ (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

  1. (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

1
from Greek bēta, from Hebrew; see beth

British Dictionary definitions for Beta (2 of 2)

Beta

/ (ˈbiːtə) /


noun
  1. (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