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

2

: rudiments, elements

Synonyms

• ABC(s)
• basics
• elements
• essentials
• fundamentals
• grammar
• principles
• rudiments

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

Another childlike exercise: Go through the whole alphabet, naming things around you that start with each letter. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 15 Oct. 2024

South Korea was closed for Hangul Day, a holiday commemorating the invention of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

More recently, Voynich scholars had noted what seems to be a Roman alphabet written in the right-hand margin of that first page. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 9 Sep. 2024

After all 21 names on the list have been assigned to a storm, forecasters will use the Greek alphabet to name storms until the season ends. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alphabete, from Late Latin alphabetum, from Greek alphabētos, from alpha + bēta beta

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alphabet

• alphabet soup
• Arabic alphabet
• Aramaic alphabet
• Latin alphabet
• manual alphabet
• mixed alphabet
• phonetic alphabet
• the Roman alphabet

Kids 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