a 2nd pers. sing. pt. indic. of be.

to exist or live

Shakespeare's To be or not to be is the ultimate question.

to take place; happen; occur

The wedding was last week.

to occupy a place or position

The book is on the table.

to continue or remain as before

Let things be.

to belong; attend; befall

May good fortune be with you.

(used as a copula to connect the subject with its predicate adjective, or predicate nominative, in order to describe, identify, or amplify the subject)

Martha is tall. John is president. This is she.

(used as a copula to introduce or form interrogative or imperative sentences)

Is that right? Be quiet! Don't be facetious.

(used with the present participle of another verb to form the progressive tense)

I am waiting.

(used with the present participle or infinitive of the principal verb to indicate future action)

She is visiting there next week. He is to see me today.

(used with the past participle of another verb to form the passive voice)

The date was fixed. It must be done.

(used in archaic or literary constructions with some intransitive verbs to form the perfect tense)

He is come. Agamemnon to the wars is gone.