prayer beads

American  

[prair] / prɛər /

plural noun

1. a rosary.

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prayer beads British  

/ prɛə /

plural noun

1. RC Church the beads of the rosary

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Etymology

Origin of prayer beads

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

It paid homage to a nurse’s steady hands, to a mother’s prayer beads slipping through her fingers, and to a belief that our stories do not end at the point of collapse.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

A teenager draws his slingshot, while fighters holding prayer beads take control of a Soviet tank, and peasants clutching pitchforks face Soviet soldiers.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Sitting atop a lotus, the Hindu goddess of wisdom holds a book, prayer beads and a classical instrument called a veena in her four hands.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2024

She recalled him studying the Quran, often by candlelight at night and quizzing neighbors about its teachings, always clutching his white prayer beads.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2023

Nuah is looking at me laughing, his head tilted in that odd way of his, the wooden prayer beads hanging around his neck askew.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali