# BMW

/ˈbiˌɛmˈdəbəɫju/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bmw
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the car brand

noun · CEFR A2

Stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke. A German company that makes luxury cars and motorcycles.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke. A German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich.

- He saved his money for years to finally buy a silver BMW.
- The collector specialized in vintage BMW motorcycles, specifically those produced in the decade following the second world war.

### 3. organic waste

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for biodegradable municipal waste. Rubbish from homes or businesses that can break down naturally, like food or paper.

For teachers: Abbreviation for biodegradable municipal waste. Refers to the fraction of municipal waste that is capable of undergoing anaerobic or aerobic decomposition.

- The city is trying to reduce the amount of BMW sent to landfills.
- New environmental regulations require local authorities to implement separate collection systems for BMW to meet carbon reduction targets.

Usage: Uncountable in this technical sense.

## Examples

- Don't be such a BMW and just finish the work.
- The office manager is a total BMW who spends more time complaining about the coffee than actually doing her job.
- While his technical skills were undeniable, his reputation as a BMW made him a difficult fit for the collaborative and high-pressure environment of the startup.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.