beak Meaning & Definition
What Does Beak Mean?
Beak is used as a noun meaning A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming, foraging, carrying items, eating food, etc. It is also used to mean A similar pointed structure forming the nose and mouth of various animals, such as turtles, platypuses, whales, etc. As a verb, it means To strike with the beak.
Word Facts for Beak
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /biːk/ |
| Synonyms | peck, pick and snout |
| Plural | beaks |
| Verb forms | beaks, beaking, beaked |
Beak Definition (Noun)
- A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming, foraging, carrying items, eating food, etc.
- A similar pointed structure forming the nose and mouth of various animals, such as turtles, platypuses, whales, etc.
- The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.
- The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.
- The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.
- Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.
- Anything projecting or ending in a point like a beak, such as a promontory of land. A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off. A toe clip. That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.
- Anything projecting or ending in a point like a beak, such as a promontory of land.
- A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.
- A toe clip.
- That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.
- A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, used as a ram to pierce the vessel of an enemy.
- Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Libythea, notable for the beak-like elongation on their heads.
- A person's nose, especially one that is large and pointed.
Shut your beak!
- A person's mouth.
Shut your beak!
- Cocaine.
Beak as a Verb
- To strike with the beak.
- To seize with the beak.
- To play truant.
Noun
- A justice of the peace; a magistrate.
- A schoolmaster (originally, at Eton).
Synonyms of Beak
Beak synonyms and antonyms →Beak in a Sentence
Shut your beak!
Word Forms & Grammar
beak (countable and uncountable, plural beaks)
beak (third-person singular simple present beaks, present participle beaking, simple past and past participle beaked)
beak (plural beaks)
Words That Rhyme With Beak
Origin of Beak
Origin 1: From Middle English bec, borrowed from Anglo-Norman bec, Old French bec, from Latin beccus, from Gaulish *bekkos, from Proto-Celtic *bekkos (“beak, snout”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bak-, *baḱ- (“pointed stick, peg”). Cognate with Breton beg (“beak”). Compare Saterland Frisian Bäk (“mouth; muzzle; beak”); Dutch bek (“beak; bill; neb”).
Origin 2: Unknown; originally cant; first recorded in 17thC; probably related to obsolete cant beck "constable".[1][2][3]
Frequently Asked Questions About Beak
Is beak a noun or a verb?
Beak is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for beak?
You can replace beak with words such as peck, pick and snout. See the full list of beak synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of beak?
The plural of beak is beaks.
What is the past tense of beak?
The past tense of beak is beaked. The present participle is beaking.