bumblebee

noun

bum·​ble·​bee ˈbəm-bəl-ˌbē 

variants or less commonly bumble bee

: any of numerous large robust hairy social bees (genus Bombus)

Examples of bumblebee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The easiest way to tell a carpenter bee from a bumblebee is their hair—or lack thereof. —Katie Akin, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

Consider one that’s an early source of pollen for bumblebees (dandelions) or another that’s the host plants for hummingbird clearwing moths and snowberry clearwing moths (bush honeysuckle). —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025

Other bumble bee species include the larger Sonoran bumble bee, the California bumblebee and Crotch’s bumble bee. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Goodies included a miniature version of Jack Black’s character in the movie, expert crafter Steve and a bumblebee straight out of the game. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bumblebee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

bumblebee

noun

bum·​ble·​bee ˈbəm-bəl-ˌbē 

: any of numerous large hairy social bees