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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Reya earned 10th place in last year’s bee, saying she was relieved and happy with her top three finish.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Students garden, keep bees, and care for animals, learning through trial and error as much as through success.
—Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Propolis, what bees use to insulate the walls of their hives to protect against outside germs, is brilliant for soothing sore throats, bolstering our immune systems, and protecting against free radicals.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bee
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Noun
If bright red berries are your holly bush's best feature, wait to prune it so the tiny spring flowers have a chance to attract bees.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Reya earned 10th place in last year’s bee, saying she was relieved and happy with her top three finish.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Students garden, keep bees, and care for animals, learning through trial and error as much as through success.
—Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Propolis, what bees use to insulate the walls of their hives to protect against outside germs, is brilliant for soothing sore throats, bolstering our immune systems, and protecting against free radicals.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 23 Feb. 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 27 Feb. 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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