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

Also called beardtongue, this native blooms in late spring to early summer and is a favorite of native bumblebees. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

From mighty Rice’s whales to the humble rusty patched bumblebee, the 1973 act protects more than 1,600 listed endangered and threatened species and their habitats. — Medara Udoekong, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Roses evolved their aromas millions of years before humans even existed on this planet, mostly to speak to bumblebees and other insects. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

During the first course, a bumblebee flew over the table and then moved on. — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 29 July 2026

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