bus

1 of 3

noun

ˈbəs

plural buses also busses

often attributive

Synonyms of bus next

: a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers usually along a fixed route according to a schedule

took the bus to work

double-decker buses

waiting at the bus stop

: automobile

: a small hand truck

electrical engineering : bus bar

computers : a set of parallel conductors (see conductor sense d(1)) in a computer system that forms a main transmission path

: a spacecraft or missile that carries one or more detachable devices (such as warheads)

bus

2 of 3

verb

bused also bussed; busing also bussing

intransitive verb

: to travel by a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers usually along a fixed route according to a schedule : to travel by bus

: to work as a busboy

transitive verb

: to transport by bus

busing kids to school

Students were bused in for the game.

: clear sense 4d

bus dishes

: to remove dirty dishes from

bus tables

bus

3 of 3

abbreviation

business

Phrases

throw (someone) under the bus

informal

: to criticize, blame, or punish (someone in a vulnerable position) especially in order to avoid blame or gain an advantage

… we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation.—

Donna Shalala

But he went out of his way to make clear that this one wasn't really on him. The problem lay with underlings, whom he quickly threw under the bus.—

Rem Rieder

Did you know?

The History of Bus

In 1661, mathematician Blaise Pascal conceived the world’s first bus service, proposing that a number of coaches should “circulate along predetermined routes in Paris at regular intervals regardless of the number of people,” and pick up passengers for a small fixed fare. The word bus is short for omnibus, which means “for everyone.” Bus was first used in this sense in the 1830s, its "everyone" meaning referencing the fact that anyone could join the coach along its route, unlike with stagecoaches, which had to be pre-booked.

Examples of bus in a Sentence

Noun She boarded a bus in Nashville. Are you traveling by train or by bus? Verb He buses tables at the local diner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

The world assumed that McGregor would happen, but his random announcement of fighting Logan, along with the bus run in says otherwise. —

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 In 2023, the Department of Transportation ended a pandemic-era program offering free bus fares, a decision that Lamont blamed on federal rules requiring an equity study. —

John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

Students were bused to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, where they were reunited with their parents. —

Doha Madani, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025 For decades, immigrants have been bused from the center to an airport, where they are flown out of the country. —

Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bus

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

short for omnibus

First Known Use

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of bus was in 1835

See more words from the same year

Articles Related to bus

8 Words and Phrases from the Road

Just you, these words, and the horizon

Where Does the Expression 'Throw...

Let's blame the British

Is it 'Buses' or 'Busses'?

Hardly anyone uses 'busses' anymore—even if it does sound like the logical choice

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bus. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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Kids Definition

bus

1 of 2 noun

ˈbəs

plural buses also busses

: a large motor vehicle for carrying passengers

: a conductor or group of conductors for collecting electric currents and sending them to outgoing wires

bus

2 of 2 verb

bused also bussed; busing also bussing

: to travel or transport by bus

Last Updated: 8 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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