be

Definitions of be in various dictionaries:

noun - a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element

verb - have the quality of being

verb - be identical to

verb - occupy a certain position or area

verb - have an existence, be extant

verb - happen, occur, take place

verb - be identical or equivalent to

verb - form or compose

verb - work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function

verb - represent, as of a character on stage

verb - spend or use time

verb - have life, be alive

verb - to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted -- used only in infinitive form

verb - be priced at

To exist in actuality; have life or reality: I think, therefore I am.

To occupy a specified position: The food is on the table.

To remain in a certain state or situation undisturbed, untouched, or unmolested: Let the children be.

To take place; occur: The test was yesterday.

Usage Problem.

To equal in identity: “To be a Christian was to be a Roman” (James Bryce).

To have a specified significance: A is excellent, C is passing.

To belong to a specified class or group: The human being is a primate.

To have or show a specified quality or characteristic: She is lovely.

To seem to consist or be made of: The yard is all snow.

To belong; befall: Peace be unto you.

Used with the past participle of a transitive verb to form the passive voice: The mayoral election is held annually.

Used with the present participle of a verb to express a continuing action: We are working to improve housing conditions.

Used with the infinitive of a verb to express intention, obligation, or future action: She was to call before she left.

Used with the past participle of certain intransitive verb s to form the perfect tense: “Where be those roses gone which sweetened so our eyes?” (Philip Sidney).

verb - to have actuality