alphabet
noun
al·pha·bet
ˈal-fə-ˌbet 
-bət
1
a
: a set of letters or other characters with which one or more languages are written especially if arranged in a customary order
b
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
Examples of alphabet in a Sentence
The Roman alphabet begins with “A” and ends with “Z.”
you need to learn the alphabet of genealogy before you can move on to more advanced study
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar to how movable letters can be arranged to form words, Catalog created an alphabet of DNA pieces that can be assembled to represent bits.
—
Emily Mullin, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Your inspiration can commence here—at the beginning of the alphabet.
—Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 7 Feb. 2025
The metaphor leaps out: Like letters of the alphabet, molecules (the nucleotide bases A, T, C and G, for adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine) are arranged into sequences — words, paragraphs, chapters, perhaps — in every organism, from bacteria to humans.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Video enables complete, compelling communication that engages and motivates in ways that the 26 letters of the alphabet can’t.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
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Emily Mullin, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Your inspiration can commence here—at the beginning of the alphabet.
—Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 7 Feb. 2025
The metaphor leaps out: Like letters of the alphabet, molecules (the nucleotide bases A, T, C and G, for adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine) are arranged into sequences — words, paragraphs, chapters, perhaps — in every organism, from bacteria to humans.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Video enables complete, compelling communication that engages and motivates in ways that the 26 letters of the alphabet can’t.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
Cite this Entry
“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alphabet
noun
al·pha·bet
ˈal-fə-ˌbet
-bət
1
: the letters of a language arranged in their usual order
2
: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
Etymology
Middle English alphabete "alphabet," derived from Greek alphabētos "alphabet," from alpha and bēta, the first and second letters of the Greek alphabet
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