| bacterium |
singular form of "bacteria." Bacteria are tiny living things made up of one cell each. Bacteria live in most living things and in all parts of the earth. Most bacteria are useful to people, but some are harmful because they can cause disease. |
| Bahamas |
a country made up of these islands. The Bahamas are also called the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. [1/2 definitions] |
| barricade |
a structure that is put up quickly for protection or to block the way. [1/2 definitions] |
| battalion |
a large group of soldiers, made up of several companies. |
| bazaar |
an outdoor street market made up of rows of little shops or stalls where people buy and sell things. [1/2 definitions] |
| bear1 |
to hold up or support. [2/7 definitions] |
| bear up |
to work through something difficult without giving up; endure. |
| beaver1 |
a large rodent, up to four feet long, with thick brown fur and a wide flat tail. Beavers use their long front teeth to cut down trees for food and to build dams and lodges (beaver houses). They use the dams to keep water around their lodges. Beavers live in North America, Europe, and Asia. |
| Bible |
the main sacred writings of Judaism and Christianity. The writings of Judaism are made up of the Old Testament, while those of Christianity are made up of both the Old and New Testaments. [1/3 definitions] |
| big |
older; more grown-up. [1/3 definitions] |
| Big Dipper |
part of the constellation Ursa Major, made up of this constellation's seven brightest stars. These stars form a shape that looks like a ladle, or dipper. |
| bill2 |
the hard outer part of a bird's mouth that sticks out from its face. A bill is made up of a lower part and an upper part; beak. |
| blackberry |
a dark purple or black berry that is made up of many large seeds. [1/2 definitions] |
| blast |
to open up with an explosion. [1/6 definitions] |
| blot |
to soak up or dry with something that absorbs liquid. [1/4 definitions] |
| blotter |
a piece of paper used to soak up ink or to protect a writing surface. |
| blow over |
to let up; lessen or subside. |
| blue whale |
a mammal that lives in the ocean. Blue whales are the largest kind of animal that has ever lived. They can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh up to 150 tons. Their large mouths have baleen instead of teeth. Blue whales use baleen to filter lots of very small food such as shrimp from ocean water. |
| board |
to close or cover using boards (often followed by "up"). [1/8 definitions] |
| bob1 |
to make a quick or jerky movement up and down. |
| body |
all the physical material that makes up a person or animal, including limbs, organs, tissue, and other parts. [1/5 definitions] |