First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bid
verb \ˈbid\
: to offer to pay (a particular amount of money) for something that is being sold : to make a bid at an auction
: to offer to do work for a particular price
: to say how many points you are trying to win in a card game
bade \ˈbad, ˈbād\ or bidbid·den \ˈbi-dən\ or bid also badebid·ding
Full Definition of BID
transitive verb
1
2
: to give expression to <bade a tearful farewell>
3
a : offer —usually used in the phrase to bid defiance b past and past part bid (1) : to offer (a price) whether for payment or acceptance (2) : to make a bid of or in (a suit at cards)
intransitive verb
: to make a bid
— bid·der noun
— bid fair
: to seem likely <a movie that bids fair to become a big hit>
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Origin of BID
partly from Middle English bidden, from Old English biddan; akin to Old High German bitten to entreat, and perhaps to Sanskrit bādhate he presses; partly from Middle English beden to offer, command, from Old English bēodan; akin to Old High German biotan to offer, Greek pynthanesthai to examine, Sanskrit bodhi enlightenment
Related to BID
Synonym Discussion of BID
command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority <a general commanding troops>. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise <ordered his employees about like slaves>. bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants) <she bade him be seated>. enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude <a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet>. direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality <directed her assistant to hold all calls> <the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark>. charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility <charged by the President with a secret mission>.
2bid
noun
: an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something
: an offer to do a job for a particular price
: an attempt to win, get, or do something
Full Definition of BID
1
a : the act of one who bids b : a statement of what one will give or take for something; especially : an offer of a price c : something offered as a bid
2
: an opportunity to bid
3
4
a : an announcement of what a cardplayer proposes to undertake b : the amount of such a bid c : a biddable bridge hand
5
: an attempt or effort to win, achieve, or attract <a bid for reelection>
See bid defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BID
1788
Related to BID
Other Business Terms
3bid
abbreviation
Definition of BID
twice a day
Origin of BID
Latin bis in die
BID
abbreviation
Definition of BID
bachelor of industrial design
Other Education Terms
BIDDING Defined for Kids
1bid
verb \ˈbid\
bade \ˈbad\ or bidbid·den \ˈbi-dən\ or bidbid·ding
Definition of BID for Kids
2
: to express to <We bade our guests good-bye.>
3
: to make an offer for something (as at an auction) <I bid $25 for a painting.>
— bid·der noun
2bid
noun
Definition of BID for Kids
1
: an offer to pay a certain sum for something or to do certain work at a stated fee
2
: an attempt to win, achieve, or attract <But that bid for glory was a failure. — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer>
Medical Dictionary
bid
abbreviation
Medical Definition of BID
twice a day—used in writing prescriptions
Origin of BID
Latin bis in die
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