bur

¹ American  

[bur] / bɜr /

noun

1. a rough, prickly case around the seeds of certain plants, as the chestnut or burdock.

2. any bur-bearing plant.

3. something that adheres like a bur.

4. Machinery. burr.

5. Dentistry. a rotary cutting tool usually of steel or other hard metal shaped into a shank and a head, for removing carious material from teeth and preparing cavities for filling.

6. Surgery. a cutting tool resembling that of a dentist, used for the excavation of bone.

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verb (used with object)

burred, burring

1. to extract or remove burs from.

bur ² American  

[bur] / bɜr /

noun

1. burr.

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bur. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. bureau.

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Bur. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Burma.

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Bur. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Myanmar (Burma)

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bur ² British  

/ bɜː /

noun

1. a seed vessel or flower head, as of burdock, having hooks or prickles

2. any plant that produces burs

3. a person or thing that clings like a bur

4. a small surgical or dental drill

5. a variant spelling of burr 3 burr 4

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verb

1. (tr) to remove burs from

BUR ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Myanmar (international car registration)

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bur Scientific  

/ bûr /

1. A type of pseudocarp in which the outer surface possesses hooks or barbs. Burs become caught in the feathers or hair of animals, which then carry them away to disperse the seeds.

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Etymology

Origin of bur

1300–50; Middle English burre, apparently cognate with Danish burre, Norwegian, Swedish borre bur

Example Sentences

The panel does not have the power to compel Andrew to appear in front of them, bur intends to ask questions related to information on Epstein's network and associates based on their "longstanding" friendship.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

It was going to be made for television, and somehow, it was unplugged from PBS, bur they already started pre-production, so they decided, we’ll make it as a Merchant Ivory film.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2024

Over plates of bur and cups of hot tea, Somali families from around the Seattle area met up at NewHolly Gathering Hall last Friday to celebrate the launch of the new books.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2023

It may take an especially bold rodent to hoist a massive bur oak acorn, then stagger under its weight, vulnerable to predators, until finding a hiding spot.

From New York Times • Nov. 25, 2022

He was trying his best to run right up the trunk of the bur oak tree; and all the time his deep voice was telling that monkey it was the end of the road.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls