honeycomb

1 of 2

noun

hon·​ey·​comb ˈhə-nē-ˌkōm 

1

: a mass of hexagonal wax cells built by honeybees in their nest to contain their brood and stores of honey

2

: something that resembles a honeycomb in structure or appearance

especially : a strong lightweight cellular structural material

honeycomb

2 of 2

verb

honeycombed; honeycombing; honeycombs

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to be full of cavities like a honeycomb

b

: to make into a checkered pattern : fret

2

a

: to penetrate into every part : fill

b

: subvert, weaken

intransitive verb

: to become pitted, checked, or cellular

Examples of honeycomb in a Sentence

Noun

One of the honeycombs was empty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her Blossom Marble Bowl—carved from a single block of honeycomb or travertine marble in Rajasthan—is unfurled, like a flower caught in late bloom. —Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026

This technology arranges pocketed coils in a honeycomb-style hexagonal matrix rather than traditional straight rows, allowing weight to be distributed more evenly across the mattress surface. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

But not quite this type of honeycombing. —Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026

Add window film: Apply sheets of transparent window film over the window with double-sided tape to create a thermal barrier. Install cellular blinds: Replace window blinds with cellular blinds that have honeycombed interiors to retain heat in the room. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1735, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for honeycomb

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome
• monochrome

Kids Definition

honeycomb

1 of 2 noun

hon·​ey·​comb -ˌkōm 

1

: a mass of six-sided wax cells built by honeybees in their nest to contain young bees and stores of honey

2

: something that resembles a honeycomb in structure or appearance

honeycomb

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become full of holes like a honeycomb

Medical Definition

honeycomb

noun

hon·​ey·​comb -ˌkōm 

: reticulum sense 1