b and w

or B and W, b&w, B&W

adjective

1. (of a motion picture, photograph, drawing, etc.) black and white, as distinguished from color.

noun

1. a black and white motion picture, photograph, drawing, etc.

B & W

abbreviation for

1. black and white

Word History and Origins

Origin of b and w¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

About two dozen protesters dressed similarly in khaki pants and dark hoodies, and wearing face coverings, held up a banner outside the hospital on Jan. 22 that said “B and W Hospital Kills Whites.”

From Seattle Times

A typical day runs from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., at which point he stops off for his “B and W vitamins.”

From New York Times

The result may be expressed algebraically as follows, using the letters B and W to indicate respectively germ cells with and without the black color determiner.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Carnes arrived at the Bush River station of the P. B. and W. at 2:15 A.M.

From Project Gutenberg

The bobbins of the magnet, M, are mounted in series with the selenium plates, z, the local battery, B, and a resistance box, W. Those of the magnet, M', are in series with z', B', and W'.

From Project Gutenberg