hive

1 of 2

noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

2

: a colony of bees

3

: a place swarming with activity

hiveless

ˈhīv-ləs 

adjective

hive

2 of 2

verb

hived; hiving

intransitive verb

1

of bees : to enter and take possession of a hive

2

: to reside in close association

transitive verb

1

: to collect into a hive

2

: to store up in or as if in a hive

Examples of hive in a Sentence

Noun

The house was a hive of activity as we prepared for the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Learn about the basic considerations for potential beekeepers including, legal aspects, space needs, risks, equipment needed, startup costs, time requirements for hive maintenance. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2024

And Bumble’s efforts to bring more users to the hive (i.e not just millennial women) hasn’t gone so well — a lot of people were pretty offended by the company’s splashy ads mocking celibacy earlier this year. —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 11 July 2024

Waring dark, loose clothing or shiny objects while hiking Wearing perfumes, cologne or strong scent Jerky movements near hives Swatting at bees Contributing: Nick Piecoro, Kye Graves; Arizona Republic Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024

When her daughter developed a couple of hives after eating a cereal labeled may contain peanuts, Chung went back to heeding warnings of peanut cross-contact but continued ignoring the rest. —Carolyn Beans, Ars Technica, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hȳf; perhaps akin to Old Norse hūfr ship's hull, Latin cūpa tub, Sanskrit kūpa cave

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hive

• hive mind
• hive off

Kids Definition

hive

1 of 2 noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

c

: a colony of bees

2

: a place swarming with busy occupants

hive

2 of 2 verb

hived; hiving

1

a

: to collect into a hive

hive bees

b

: to enter and take over a hive or nesting place

2

: to live or gather in close association

Medical Definition

hive

noun

ˈhīv 

: the raised edematous red patch of skin or mucous membrane characteristic of hives : an urticarial wheal