Bus

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /bÊŒs/, bɐs, enPR: bÅ­s
• US IPA: /bÊŒs/, enPR: bÅ­s
• Rhymes: -ÊŒs

Origin

Shortening of omnibus, from Latin omnibus ("for everything/all"); dative plural of omnis ("all"). The electrical sense is derived from figurative application of the automotive sense.

Full definition of bus

Noun

1. (automotive) A motor vehicle for transporting large numbers of people along roads.
2. An electrical conductor or interface serving as a common connection for two or more circuits or components.
3. (medical industry, slang) An ambulance.

Synonyms

• (vehicle) coach, loser cruiser, motorbus, omnibus
• (electrical conductor) electrical bus, busbar, digit trunk

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive, automotive, transport) To transport via a motor bus.
2. (transitive, automotive, transport, chiefly US) To transport students to school, often to a more distant school for the purposes of achieving racial integration.
3. (intransitive, automotive, transport) To travel by bus.
4. (transitive, US, food service) To clear meal remains from.He bussed tables as the restaurant emptied out.
5. (intransitive, US, food service) To work at clearing the remains of meals from tables or counters; to work as a busboy.He’s been bussing for minimum wage.

Usage notes

The Canadian Oxford Dictionary only presents the spellings buses, busing, and bused, implying that these are the predominant forms in Canada.

Derived terms

• (clear meal remains) busboy

Anagrams

• sub
• UBS
• USB