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

Their blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and heuchera will cover the ground and suppress weeds. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026

Along the way, keep an eye out for deerweed covered in its orange and yellow flowers along with scarlet bugler (which hummingbirds love). —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds For a softer color palette in your spring and summer garden, cornflowers skew more toward the blue, purple, and pale pink end of the spectrum. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026

The continuous blooms from summer to fall attract tons of pollinators, especially hummingbirds. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026

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