1
: any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee, bumblebee, carpenter bee, honeybee, sweat bee
2
: an eccentric notion : fancy
see also:
: the letter b
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
bachelor of electrical engineering
Examples of bee in a Sentence
Noun (1)
she got a sudden bee to quit her job and move to South Carolina
Recent Examples on the Web
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Grows well in sun and is often visited by butterflies and bees when in flower.
—Adrienne Jordan, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
August brings a flush of fragrant, nectar-rich blooms that draw hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
The lavender spikes aren't showy, but bees love them in spring and summer.
—Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bee
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Noun
Look for the full bee trademark on the bottom of the figurine.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Grows well in sun and is often visited by butterflies and bees when in flower.
—Adrienne Jordan, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
August brings a flush of fragrant, nectar-rich blooms that draw hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
The lavender spikes aren't showy, but bees love them in spring and summer.
—Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bee
Cite this Entry
“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bee
1 of 2 noun
: any of numerous insects (as the honeybees and bumblebees) that feed on pollen and nectar and sometimes produce honey and that differ from the wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts
bee
2 of 2 noun
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
Etymology
Noun
Old English bēo "bee"
Noun
perhaps from a dialect word been "help given by neighbors," derived from Old English bēn "prayer"
Medical Definition
bee
noun
: honeybee
broadly
: any of numerous hymenopteran insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee
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