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What makes up a bevy?
There’s no need to quail when confronted with a word of uncertain origins; some mysteries are simply destined to remain as such. Etymologists have a bevy of theories about the roots of bevy, for example, but little definitive evidence—and that’s okay! What we do know is that bevy emerged out of Middle English as the collective noun for a number of birds and mammals that were commonly hunted, including pheasants, partridges, roe deer, larks, and especially quail. Bevy is still used in this way today, not only for wild game but for gulls, hens, etc. But bevies are now most often composed of a great many people and things, as in “a bevy of reporters” or “a bevy of menu options.”
Examples of bevy in a Sentence
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Feb. 2026
Before navigating treacherous terrain like the backcountry of California's Sierra Nevada during a peak winter storm, experts suggest looking for a bevy of potential warning signs to avoid getting caught in an avalanche.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The Commanders always seem to have a bevy of slot receivers, but rarely anyone with the size to create mismatches.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Durbin and Marcelo Mayer will get reps at second, as the Red Sox begin to assess infield roles for a bevy of candidates.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bevy
Cite this Entry
“Bevy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bevy. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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