Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - bead

(beads) 1. Beads are small pieces of coloured glass, wood, or plastic with a hole through the middle. Beads are often put together on a piece of string or wire to make jewellery. ...a string of beads. N-COUNT: usu pl 2. A bead of liquid or moisture is a small drop of it. ...beads of blood... He wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead. N-COUNT: usu N of n