1. a. A small, often round piece of material, such as glass, plastic, or wood, that is pierced for stringing or threading. b. beads A necklace made of such pieces. c. beads Roman Catholic Church. A rosary. d. Obsolete. A prayer. Often used in the plural.

2. A small, round object, especially: a. A drop of moisture: beads of sweat. b. A bubble of gas in a liquid. c. A small metal knob on the muzzle of a firearm, such as a rifle, used for sighting.

3. A strip of material, usually wood, with one molded edge placed flush against the inner part of a door or window frame.

4. Architecture. a. A decoration consisting of a usually continuous series of small spherical shapes, as on a convex molding. b. Beading.

5. A projecting rim or lip, as on a pneumatic tire.

6. A line of continuously-applied ductile material, such as solder or caulking compound.

7. Chemistry. A globule of fused borax or other flux used in a bead test.