hive

1 of 2

noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

2

: a colony of bees

3

: a place swarming with activity

hiveless

ˈhīv-ləs 

adjective

hive

2 of 2

verb

hived; hiving

intransitive verb

1

of bees : to enter and take possession of a hive

2

: to reside in close association

transitive verb

1

: to collect into a hive

2

: to store up in or as if in a hive

Examples of hive in a Sentence

Noun

The house was a hive of activity as we prepared for the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Detroit City Distillery’s first collaboration with Bees in the D was in 2019 with its Honey Bourbon made with honey harvested from hives atop the distillery’s historic building in Eastern Market. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Discover what to expect and how to manage your hive in your second year of beekeeping. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

Exposure to droplets of the water for people can cause a rash, hives, red eyes, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025

In addition to the intense, sometimes uncontrollable itching, hives can also burn, sting and swell. —Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hȳf; perhaps akin to Old Norse hūfr ship's hull, Latin cūpa tub, Sanskrit kūpa cave

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hive

• hive mind
• hive off

Rhymes for hive

• dive
• drive
• five
• jive
• live
• strive
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive

Kids Definition

hive

1 of 2 noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

c

: a colony of bees

2

: a place swarming with busy occupants

hive

2 of 2 verb

hived; hiving

1

a

: to collect into a hive

hive bees

b

: to enter and take over a hive or nesting place

2

: to live or gather in close association

Medical Definition

hive

noun

ˈhīv 

: the raised edematous red patch of skin or mucous membrane characteristic of hives : an urticarial wheal