Illustration of bit
- 1curb
- 2 snaffle
1
a(1)
: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
(2)
: a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed
put a new bit in the drill
used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole
b
2
: something bitten or held with the teeth:
a
: the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse
b
: the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder
3
: something that curbs or restrains
4
: the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a)
bitted; bitting
1
a
: to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse)
b
: to control as if with a bit
2
: to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key)
plural bits
1
: a small quantity of food
especially
: a small delicacy
2
a
: a small piece or quantity of some material thing
broken bits of glass
picking bits of lint off her sweater
b(1)
British
: a coin of a specified small denomination
a threepenny bit
(2)
: a unit of value equal to ⅛ of a U.S. dollar (12 ½ cents)
—used only of even multiples
four bits
Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount.
see also two bits sense 13
: something small or unimportant of its kind: such as
b
: an indefinite usually small degree, extent, or amount
a bit of a rascal
every bit as powerful
a bit too sweet
see also a bit, a bit much
c
theater
(1)
: a small part usually with spoken lines in a theatrical performance
a bit part
bit players
(2)
: a usually short theatrical routine
a corny comedy bit
4
: the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role
… rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood.—
Vance Packard
Vance Packard
see also:
1
computers
: a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off)
2
computers
: the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data
Examples of bit in a Sentence
Noun (2)
she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate
bits of cookie scattered on the table
I'll have only a bit of food right now
this will only take a bit
known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver
wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits
Recent Examples on the Web
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
On Sunday, there’s a World Cup debutant taking on a powerhouse, two dark horses meeting in Texas, and two matchups that have plenty of intrigue despite flying under the radar a little bit.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
Such a change would offer greater photographic versatility and make the iPhone camera that bit closer to a standalone SLR.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bit
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
That is the genuinely arresting bit.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
On Sunday, there’s a World Cup debutant taking on a powerhouse, two dark horses meeting in Texas, and two matchups that have plenty of intrigue despite flying under the radar a little bit.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Verb
The album teams with moments like this, bits where the music might evoke a modern homespun permutation of greats like Daryl Hall and John Oates or even Prince, and the lyrics add new wrinkles to classic pop heartbreak.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
Such a change would offer greater photographic versatility and make the iPhone camera that bit closer to a standalone SLR.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bit
Cite this Entry
“Bit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bit. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bit
1 of 3 noun1
: the usually metal bar attached to a bridle and put in the mouth of a horse
2
: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
the drill bit
bit
2 of 3 noun1
: a small piece or amount
2
: a short time
rest a bit
bit
3 of 3 noun1
: a unit of computer information that represents the selection of one of two possible choices (as yes or no, on or off)
2
: something (as an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a punched hole) that physically represents a bit
Etymology
Noun
Old English bite "act of biting"
Noun
earlier bit "small piece of food," from Old English bita (same meaning)
Noun
binary digit
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