bee

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbē 

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

beelike

ˈbē-ˌlīk 

adjective

bee

2 of 4

noun (2)

: the letter b

bee

3 of 4

noun (3)

: a gathering of people for a specific purpose

a quilting bee

BEE

4 of 4

abbreviation

bachelor of electrical engineering

Phrases

bee in one's bonnet

: bee entry 1 sense 2

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• whim
• whimsy
• whimsey

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

Noun

The current mural is actually the second painting installed for Heaven, since the original was destroyed by critters like bees and squirrels. —Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2024

In the meantime, smaller creatures, like a dragonfly, hovered over the pond while yellow wasps and bees took their turn to drink and collect water to take back to their hives. —Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 3 Sep. 2024

Inside, the minimalist lobby doubles as a gallery, and the in-house restaurant, The Hive, is dripping with sculptures of glowing honeycombs, kudzu vines, and swarms of bees. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2024

With some help from her beekeeper’s mentor, Riley said, the cloud of bees was wrangled back into the hive — and the actress now views the moment as a good omen of sorts. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English bēo; akin to Old High German bīa bee, Old Irish bech, Lithuanian bitis

Noun (3)

perhaps from English dialect been help given by neighbors, from Middle English bene prayer, boon, from Old English bēn prayer — more at boon entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1769, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bee

• Africanized bee
• as busy as a bee
• bee balm
• bee-eater
• bee fly
• bee in one's bonnet
• bee's knees
• bee-stung
• bee tree
• bumble bee
• busy as a bee
• busy bee
• carpenter bee
• have a bee in one's bonnet
• honey bee
• humble-bee
• killer bee
• spelling bee
• sweat bee
• the bee's knees

Kids Definition

bee

1 of 2 noun

ˈbē 

: 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

ˈbē 

: 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