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BEM

¹ American

[bem] / bɛm /

(in especially pulp science fiction) bug-eyed monster: an extraterrestrial being, especially one having a grotesque appearance.

B.E.M. ² American

abbreviation

Bachelor of Engineering of Mines.
British Empire Medal.

BEM British

abbreviation

British Empire Medal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of BEM

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The oldest person on the list is 102-year-old John Hearn, who receives a BEM for services to judo and to the community in north-east England.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Tony is believed to be the youngest-ever recipient of an honour, a record previously held by fundraiser Tobias Weller, who was 11 when he received a BEM two years ago.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2023

Sinclair Barbour, from Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway, also received a BEM for inspiring people to participate in and learn the skills of Scottish country dancing over four decades.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2022

Dara McAnulty's BEM comes after several years of environmental activism as well as prizes for his writing about the natural world.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2022

I say "Send them a letter postmarked Outer Space signed BEM saying we lost our own planet in a nova and will take over theirs two weeks from Tuesday."

From The Lost Kafoozalum by Ashwell, Pauline

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023