beta

The second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β), preceded by alpha (Α, α) and followed by gamma, (Γ, γ). In modern Greek it represents the voiced labiodental fricative sound of v found in the English words have and vase.

Used in marking scheme: α, β, γ or α+, α, α-, β etc.

(finance) Average sensitivity of a security's price to overall securities market prices.

(computing, video games, uncountable) The phase of development after alpha testing and before launch, in which software, while not complete, has been released to potential users for testing.

(computing, video games, countable) Software in such a phase; a preliminary version.

(climbing) Information about a route which may aid someone in climbing it.

(physics) A beta particle or beta ray.

(aviation) Sideslip angle.

(aviation) The range of engine power settings in which the blade pitch angle of a constant-speed propeller is controlled directly by the angle of the engine's throttle lever (rather than varying with engine torque and airspeed to maintain a constant propeller RPM), allowing the propeller to be disked to generate high drag and slow the aircraft quickly.

Alternative spelling of betta (“fish in the genus Betta”)

(slang, manosphere, masculism) Ellipsis of beta male, a man who is less competent or desirable than an alpha male.

(fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a secondary sex similar to normal humans, lacking the biological drives of alphas and omegas but generally capable of bonding and mating with either.