1. The second letter of the Greek alphabet: This is its most basic meaning.
2. "Second" or "secondary": This meaning derives from its position in the alphabet. It is often used to indicate something that comes after something else, like a beta version of a product.
3. "B" in transliteration: When transliterating from Greek to English, β is usually represented by the letter "b".
4. Specific contexts: In certain contexts, "beta" might have a specialized meaning. For example, in finance, it refers to the volatility of a stock compared to the overall market.
To understand the meaning of "beta" in a specific context, you need more information. Please provide the sentence or situation where you encountered the word "beta" so I can give you a more accurate answer.