plural alphas
1
: the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table
2
a
: something that is first : beginning compare omega see also alpha and omega
b
: something or someone designated with the name alpha or the Greek letter α especially denoting the first in position, order, or class
3
4
5
: the first version of a product (such as a computer program) that is being developed and tested
—usually used before another noun
alpha versions
alpha testing
also
: a stage of product development in which alpha prototypes are released
a product that is available in alpha
compare beta
6
: a socially dominant person or animal
Mike is the ringleader, the alpha of the group. Tom is his wingman …—
Jason Blake
Jason Blake[Kamala] Harris came with a clear plan, was well prepared, and executed perfectly. The fact that she was willing to take on Biden, the front-runner, signaled that she was the alpha on the stage.—Philip Klein
Philip KleinThe rest of the animals hold positions in the pecking order below the alphas and respect their leadership roles, although they may challenge other wolves (even alphas) to raise their rank.—C. C. Holland
C. C. Holland1
: closest in the structure of an organic molecule to a particular group or atom
—symbol α
α-substitution
2
: socially dominant especially in a group of animals
an alpha male
3
Synonyms
Examples of alpha in a Sentence
Noun
money is not the alpha and omega—the beginning and end—of life's purpose
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Hartman, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024
Microsoft is holding a technical alpha later this month for the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2024
Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
OpenAI just released their voice bot in alpha mode, which our colleague Reese has been using.
—Michael Calore Lauren Goode, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alpha 
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Noun
But as much as the program offers, junior Charlie McGee wanted the whole college experience, from alpha to omega.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024
Microsoft is holding a technical alpha later this month for the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Low to medium doses show a reduction in the alpha frequency of brain waves (which correspond to relaxed and wakeful states), along with rising entropy, a signature finding of sober brains sinking deeper into a trip.
—Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
OpenAI just released their voice bot in alpha mode, which our colleague Reese has been using.
—Michael Calore Lauren Goode, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alpha
Dictionary Entries Near alpha
Cite this Entry
“Alpha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpha. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
alpha
1 of 2 noun
al·pha
ˈal-fə 
alpha
2 of 2 adjective
variants
or α-
1
: of or relating to one of two or more closely related chemical substances
the alpha chain of hemoglobin
α-yohimbine
—used somewhat arbitrarily to specify ordinal relationship or a particular physical form, especially one that is allotropic, isomeric, stereoisomeric, or sometimes polymeric (as in α-D-glucose)
2
: closest in position in the structure of an organic molecule to a particular group or atom
also
: occurring at or having a structure characterized by such a position
α-substitution
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