bumblebee

noun

bum·ble·bee | \ ˈbəm-bəl-ˌbē

How to pronounce bumblebee (audio)

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variants: or less commonly bumble bee

Definition of bumblebee

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

Examples of bumblebee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mayor Brad Wiersum said the city is pleased to work with the center to ensure that the bumblebee, which was named the state bee in 2019, is protected. — Greg Stanley, Star Tribune, "Minnetonka settles dispute over mountain bike trail through endangered bee haven," 23 Sep. 2020 The bumblebee was protected in 2017, but the USFWS failed to designate critical habitat by the statutory deadline. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, "Lawsuits pile up over endangered species decisions made by Trump administration," 4 Apr. 2021 The chic necklace is adorned with a bumblebee, etched fossils, animals, and other botanicals. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Accessorized Her Bright Red Zara Blazer with a Gold Charm Necklace," 15 Nov. 2020 These geographic changes could mean the insects have either migrated away or died; either way, the region is left bumblebee-free. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, "Climate Change Has Driven Serious Declines in World’s Bumblebees," 11 Feb. 2020 The rusty patched bumblebee, for instance, which pollinates apples, plums, alfalfa and other crops, was once common throughout the East and Midwest, but its numbers have plummeted 88% in the past two decades. — Anchorage Daily News, "President Trump rolled back more than 125 environmental safeguards. Here’s how.," 31 Oct. 2020 Over the past few years, most rusty patched bumblebee sightings have been recorded in suburban areas around Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. — Greg Stanley, Star Tribune, "Minnetonka settles dispute over mountain bike trail through endangered bee haven," 23 Sep. 2020 If dandelion or bumblebee yellow feels too bright, try softer, buttery or lemony variations. — Washington Post, "Pandemic and other 2020 angst getting you down? There’s a color for that.," 17 Sep. 2020 Lone Lake Park has become a haven for the rare bumblebee on the brink of extinction, and the city's plan to build a mountain bike trail through is meeting fierce opposition. — Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, "Minnetonka faces federal lawsuit over mountain bike trail through rare bumblebee haven," 5 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bumblebee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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bumblebee buzzer

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Last Updated

12 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Bumblebee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumblebee. Accessed 16 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for bumblebee

bumblebee

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bumblebee

: a large, hairy bee

See the full definition for bumblebee in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bumblebee

noun

bum·ble·bee | \ ˈbəm-bəl-ˌbē

\

Kids Definition of bumblebee

: a large hairy bee that makes a loud humming sound

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