bit meaning and definition

BIT noun

Definition of bit (noun)

1. a small piece or quantity of something
   • "a spot of tea"; "a bit of paper"; "a bit of lint"; "I gave him a bit of my mind"
   • synonyms: spot
2. a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
   • "a bit of rock caught him in the eye"
   • synonyms: chip, flake, fleck, scrap
3. an indefinitely short time
   • "wait just a moment"; "in a mo"; "it only takes a minute"; "in just a bit"
   • synonyms: minute, mo, moment, second
4. an instance of some kind
   • "it was a nice piece of work"; "he had a bit of good luck"
   • synonyms: piece
5. piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding
   • "the horse was not accustomed to a bit"
6. a unit of measurement of information (from binary + digit); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states
   • "there are 8 bits in a byte"
7. a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
   • "all they had left was a bit of bread"
   • synonyms: bite, morsel
8. a small fragment
   • "overheard snatches of their conversation"
   • synonyms: snatch
9. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
   • "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
   • synonyms: act, number, routine, turn
10. the part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers
11. the cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press
    • "he looked around for the right size bit"