hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

plural hornets

: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also european hornet, northern giant hornet, yellow-legged hornet compare bald-faced hornet

Examples of hornet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bald-Faced Hornet The bald-faced hornet is a yellowjacket that builds round or football-shaped nests in shrubs, attached to buildings, or high aboveground in trees. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Still, Suiter recommends that people who've reacted to other insect stings, like those from hornets or honeybees, speak with their doctors about carrying an EpiPen in defense against ant bites. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 6 May 2025

Cass was out of the saddle as though a hornet had stung him. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025

In general, social wasp (yellowjacket, paper wasp, and hornet) nest members die each winter, and nests are not repaired or reused the following year. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnet; akin to Old High German hornaz hornet, Latin crabro

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hornet

• Asian giant hornet
• Asian hornet
• baldfaced hornet
• European hornet
• giant hornet
• hornet's nest
• Japanese giant hornet
• murder hornet
• northern giant hornet
• white-faced hornet
• yellow legged hornet

Rhymes for hornet

• cornett

Kids Definition

hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

: any of the larger wasps that live in colonies