be

/bi/ v (present tense am /æm/ , are /ɑr/ or is /ɪz/, present participle being /ˈbi·ɪŋ/, past tense was /wʌz/ or were /wɜr/, past participle been /bɪn/) (RELATIONSHIP)

Definition

› used to connect two things or a thing with something that it has as a quality or condition: [L] It is cold today. [L] My name is Andy. [L] She is a doctor. [L] How old are you? [L] These books are (= cost) $12.99 each. [L] Please be patient. › Be is also used to show the position of a person or thing in space or time: [I always + adv/prep] The food was on the table. [I always + adv/prep] Tony is in trouble again.

(Definition of be v (RELATIONSHIP) from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)