alpha

1 of 2

noun

al·​pha ˈal-fə 

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

: alpha wave

4

: alpha particle

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

[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

The 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

alpha

2 of 2

adjective

1

: 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

: alphabetic

Synonyms

Noun

• baseline
• beginning
• birth
• commencement
• dawn
• day one
• genesis
• get-go
• git-go
• inception
• incipience
• incipiency
• kickoff
• launch
• morning
• nascence
• nascency
• onset
• outset
• start
• threshold

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

Noun

Space aficionados often compare the drive to explore other worlds to the impulse that sent humans on voyages around the world, depicting our forebears’ curiosity about our own planet as an innate imperative curiosity that defines us as an alpha species. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

So Rishi is this very alpha, front-footed, boisterous character. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Sep. 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew āleph aleph

Adjective

(sense 2) from attributive use of alpha entry 1; (sense 3) by shortening

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alpha

• alpha-adrenergic
• alpha and omega
• alpha-fetoprotein
• alpha globulin
• alpha-helix
• alpha hydroxy acid
• alpha interferon
• alpha iron
• alpha male
• alpha particle
• alpha privative
• alpha-receptor
• alpha test
• alpha-tocopherol
• alpha wave
• interferon alpha
• the alpha and omega

Kids Definition

alpha

noun

al·​pha

ˈal-fə

1

: the first letter of the Greek alphabet

—A or α

2

: something that is first : beginning

Medical Definition

alpha

1 of 2 noun

al·​pha ˈal-fə 

1

: the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet

—symbol Α or α

2

: alpha particle

3

: alpha wave

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