hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usually hover rather than perch when feeding

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a butterfly bush that attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025

In addition to the giant flowers permanently marked on her upper thigh and back end, the 32-year-old hitmaker also has a tattoo of a hummingbird amid the florets. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025

Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025

Flowers produce a rich source of nectar for fall pollinators and migrating hummingbirds. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hummingbird

• ruby-throated hummingbird

Rhymes for hummingbird

• afterword
• firebird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword

Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of numerous tiny brightly colored American birds related to the swifts and having narrow swiftly beating wings, a slender bill, and a long tongue for sipping nectar