bus

[ buhs ]

/ bʌs /

Save This Word!

noun, plural bus·es, bus·ses.

a large motor vehicle, having a long body, equipped with seats or benches for passengers, usually operating as part of a scheduled service; omnibus.

a similar horse-drawn vehicle.

a passenger automobile or airplane used in a manner resembling that of a bus.

any vehicle operated to transport children to school.

a low, movable filing cabinet.

Electricity.Also called bus bar, bus·bar

[buhs-bahr]. /ˈbʌsˌbɑr/. a heavy conductor, often made of copper in the shape of a bar, used to collect, carry, and distribute powerful electric currents, as those produced by generators.

Computers. a circuit that connects the CPU with other devices in a computer.

verb (used with object), bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

to convey or transport by bus: to bus the tourists to another hotel.

to transport (pupils) to school by bus, especially as a means of achieving socioeconomic or racial diversity among students in a public school.

verb (used without object), bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

to travel on or by means of a bus: We bused to New York on a theater trip.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about bus

throw (someone or something) under the bus, Informal. to abandon or sacrifice to an imminent negative outcome for expedience or profit, or to protect oneself and one's interests: The accused was asked to testify against Tony, but he refused to save himself by throwing his pal under the bus.

Origin of bus

First recorded in 1825–35; short for omnibus; def. 6 short for omnibus bar

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bus

bussed , bust

Other definitions for bus (2 of 3)

bus²

[ buhs ]

/ bʌs /

verb (used with or without object), bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

to work or act as a busboy or busgirl: She bused for her meals during her student days.

Origin of bus

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from busboy

Other definitions for bus (3 of 3)

bus.

abbreviation

business.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bus in a sentence

Buses filled with cops from the 84th Precinct, where Liu had worked.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss|Michael Daly|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They are played on buses, in dance halls, and on the streets.
A Quorum For Change: The Fight For Global LGBT Equality|Justin Jones|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The buses were to be used to transport union members to the protests in Mexico City.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She traveled in local buses, stayed in hostels and cheap hotels.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the Earth|Christopher Dickey|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Late in 1956, a federal ruling, Browder v. Gayle, declared segregated buses unconstitutional.
How Rock and Roll Killed Jim Crow|Dennis McNally|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There were two large auto-stages in waiting, and Ruth and Helen followed the crowd of girls briskly getting aboard the buses.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson
Ling Chu on the contrary had a penchant for buses and seemed to enjoy them.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace
They set out without further delay and proceeded by a succession of buses to the Strand.
Mrs. Vanderstein's jewels|Mrs. Charles Bryce
The horse-drawn buses ranged along the curb were reserved for the foresighted and privileged few.
A Traveller in War-Time|Winston Churchill
The rain had ceased, but it was wet underfoot, and the motor buses plashed foot passengers from head to foot with liquid mud.
The Sign of Silence|William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for bus

bus

/ (bʌs) /

noun plural buses or busses

a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers between stopping places along a regular routeMore formal name: omnibus Sometimes called: motorbus

short for trolleybus

(modifier) of or relating to a bus or busesa bus driver; a bus station

informal a car or aircraft, esp one that is old and shaky

electronics computing short for busbar

the part of a MIRV missile payload containing the re-entry vehicles and guidance and thrust devices

astronautics a platform in a space vehicle used for various experiments and processes

miss the bus to miss an opportunity; be too late

verb buses, busing, bused, busses, bussing or bussed

to travel or transport by bus

mainly US and Canadian to transport (children) by bus from one area to a school in another in order to create racially integrated classes

Word Origin for bus

C19: short for omnibus

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

bus

Idioms about bus

Origin of bus

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bus

Other definitions for bus (2 of 3)

Origin of bus

Other definitions for bus (3 of 3)

Words related to bus

How to use bus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bus

Word Origin for bus