A bead is a small, decorative object that is typically round and made from various materials such as glass, plastic, metal or wood. Beads have been used for thousands of years for jewelry making, adornment, and as symbols of wealth, power, and status. They can also refer to the raised portion on a wire, cable, string, or other flexible material that is commonly used in construction materials such as concrete reinforcement bars (rebar) or wiring systems.