English Reference
noun · verb

bus

n. · v.
US /ˈbəs/ UK /bˈʌs/ bus UK spelling bused, buses

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.a large vehicle that carries many passengers along a road, usually following a set route and schedule.

    n.a large motor vehicle designed to carry numerous passengers along a fixed route.

    Simple

    I missed the morning bus, so I had to wait twenty minutes for the next one.

    In context

    The city council invested in a fleet of electric buses to reduce carbon emissions along the busiest commuter corridors.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    n.a set of wires or a path that moves data or electricity between different parts of a computer.

    n.a communication system or set of parallel conductors that transfers data or power between components within a computer or network.

    Simple

    The computer is slow because the data bus cannot move information fast enough.

    In context

    The system architecture utilizes a high-speed system bus to minimize latency between the central processing unit and the primary memory.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to travel somewhere by bus, or to take people somewhere in a bus.

    v.to transport people via bus, or to travel by means of a bus. Often used transitively in North American contexts regarding school transport.

    Simple

    The school buses the children to the museum for their annual field trip.

    In context

    The tour operator decided to bus the passengers to the secondary terminal after the main shuttle train broke down.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate American English Cooking

    v.to clear away dirty dishes and leftover food from tables in a restaurant.

    v.to remove used dishes and clear tables in a restaurant or cafeteria. Primarily used in North American English.

    Simple

    The waiter asked the assistant to bus the table so the next guests could sit down.

    In context

    During the lunch rush, the staff struggled to bus the tables quickly enough to accommodate the growing queue of patrons waiting at the door.

    Usage

    The person who does this job is often called a 'busser' or 'busboy'.

Usage bus passes · bus travel

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated