bus

¹

[ buhs ]

noun

, plural bus·es, bus·ses.

1. a large motor vehicle, having a long body, equipped with seats or benches for passengers, usually operating as part of a scheduled service; omnibus.
2. (formerly) a similar horse-drawn vehicle.
3. a passenger automobile or airplane used in a manner resembling that of a bus.
4. any vehicle operated to transport children to school.
5. a low, movable filing cabinet.
6. Electricity. Also called bus bar, a heavy conductor, often made of copper in the shape of a bar, used to collect, carry, and distribute powerful electric currents, as those produced by generators.
7. Computers. a circuit that connects the CPU with other devices in a computer.

verb (used with object)

, bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

1. to convey or transport by bus:

   to bus the tourists to another hotel.

2. to transport (pupils) to school by bus, especially as a means of achieving socioeconomic or racial diversity among students in a public school.

verb (used without object)

, bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

1. to travel on or by means of a bus:

   We bused to New York on a theater trip.

bus

²

[ buhs ]

verb (used with or without object)

, bused or bussed, bus·ing or bus·sing.

1. to work or act as a busboy or busgirl:

   She bused for her meals during her student days.

bus.

³

abbreviation for

1. business.

bus

/ bʌs /

noun

1. a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers between stopping places along a regular route More formal nameomnibus Sometimes calledmotorbus
2. short for trolleybus
3. modifier of or relating to a bus or buses

   a bus driver

   a bus station

4. informal.
   a car or aircraft, esp one that is old and shaky
5. electronics computing short for busbar
6. the part of a MIRV missile payload containing the re-entry vehicles and guidance and thrust devices
7. astronautics a platform in a space vehicle used for various experiments and processes
8. miss the bus
   to miss an opportunity; be too late

verb

1. to travel or transport by bus
2. to transport (children) by bus from one area to a school in another in order to create racially integrated classes

Word History and Origins

Origin of bus¹

First recorded in 1825–35; short for omnibus; bus ¹def 6 short for omnibus bar

Origin of bus²

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from busboy

Word History and Origins

Origin of bus¹

C19: short for omnibus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. throw (someone or something) under the bus, Informal. to abandon or sacrifice to an imminent negative outcome for expedience or profit, or to protect oneself and one's interests:

   The accused was asked to testify against Tony, but he refused to save himself by throwing his pal under the bus.

Example Sentences

Snow is causing travel disruption as passengers face having to take the bus through an area where rail lines are shut.

From BBC

The city is long overdue for a comprehensive plan that outlines infrastructure needs and costs, including for regular maintenance and improvements to public works, such as bus shelters, landscaped medians and protected bike lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

Bawumia has been traversing north, south, east and west in what he calls the "possibilities bus", a blue and red campaign vehicle emblazoned with the slogan "it is possible".

From BBC

Transport for Greater Manchester said they would be gritting bus stations and interchanges, and running trams overnight to keep overhead lines clear of frost.

From BBC

It has warned bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

From BBC