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

"I think staff and students are potentially being thrown under a bus because of the historic mismanagement of the institution."

From BBC

Just after 20:00 GMT they heard a rumbling sound, but dismissed it as a passing bus.

From BBC

Diversion information can be found on their websites with some services collecting passengers at nearby bus stops as an alternative.

From BBC

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