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

see also:

bee in one's bonnet

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

Synonyms of bee

Noun (1)

• whim
• maggot

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

Or a whole lot of butterflies and bees dancing around where there wasn’t any before. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026

However, pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds love them, says Allan. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

DiCaprio accessorized his look with a Rolex watch and a bee pin on the collar of his tux. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

And yet — as if in defiance of nature — Death Valley is still a hot spot for wildflower blooms, attracting pollinators such as butterflies, moths, bees and hummingbirds that might not otherwise visit this corner of the California desert. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for bee

• be
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he
• ki

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