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
Numerous letters of the alphabet have been shoved in here and there, and the words look jumbled.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The brand name may have begun with the next letter of the alphabet, but the common factor for the VIPS at Kenzo’s intimate show inside its Rue Vivienne headquarters was the first letter of their names.
—Alex Wynne, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
The runic alphabet eventually evolved to reflect the transition from the Proto-Norse language to Old Norse in the 8th century, and it was used up until the 14th century, when Christianity — and by proxy, the Latin alphabet — had become widespread across Europe.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The brand name may have begun with the next letter of the alphabet, but the common factor for the VIPS at Kenzo’s intimate show inside its Rue Vivienne headquarters was the first letter of their names.
—Alex Wynne, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
The runic alphabet eventually evolved to reflect the transition from the Proto-Norse language to Old Norse in the 8th century, and it was used up until the 14th century, when Christianity — and by proxy, the Latin alphabet — had become widespread across Europe.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for alphabet
Cite this Entry
“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alphabet. Accessed 18 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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