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

The tubular white, blue or purple flowers attract hummingbirds to the porch. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026

The flowers here bloom from mid-December through the summer, inviting another elusive animal – Anna’s hummingbirds, which buzz around the blossoms collecting nectar. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Michelle makes sure there's plenty of nourishment for Tatamá's hardworking hummingbirds. —Andy Court, CBS News, 3 May 2026

Not to mention, as a native plant, sweetspire offers many benefits to pollinators, and draws in hummingbirds and songbirds too. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 1 May 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