hive

1 of 2

noun

Synonyms of hivenext
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 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
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Noun
An inner cover allows moisture to condense without dampening the hive, and an outer cover protects the colony from inclement weather. Literary Hub, 27 May 2026 Symptoms include hives, rashes, nausea, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing and stomach pain that can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026 Their sting is very painful and can even cause a severe allergic reaction like hives, itching, wheezing, and more. Jane Kim, The Spruce, 24 May 2026 Air pollution and habitat loss are known to affect them, and last year was particularly difficult for hives here, with beekeepers reporting slow bee activity and losses from the January fires. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hive was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

hive

1 of 2 noun
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
: the raised edematous red patch of skin or mucous membrane characteristic of hives : an urticarial wheal

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