noun
beta
BEE-tuh
noun
1
The second letter of the Greek alphabet.
"Beta comes right after alpha in the Greek alphabet."
adj
1
Describing an early, unfinished version of a product released for testing.
"The app is still in beta and crashes occasionally."
verb
1
To test an early version of software before its official release.
"Thousands of gamers beta-tested the new update last month."
How to Use Beta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Greek letter, or a trial/testing version of something before full release.
Common pairings
beta version
beta test
in beta
Word Forms
betaed past tense, betas plural, Betas plural, betas singular
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_____ comes right after alpha in the Greek alphabet.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek bêta, itself from a Phoenician letter name meaning "house" — the same root that gives English "beth."