honeybee

noun

hon·​ey·​bee ˈhə-nē-ˌbē 

variants or honey bee

: a honey-producing bee (genus Apis of the family Apidae)

especially : a European bee (A. mellifera) introduced worldwide and kept in hives for the honey it produces

Illustration of honeybee

• worker
• queen
• drone

Examples of honeybee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other scientists have used AlphaFold to discover the structure of Vitellogenin, a protein that plays a key role in the immune system of honeybees. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

Choose from all sorts of animals, including honeybee, owl, and koi fish. —Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 25 Nov. 2025

The total output of almonds throughout California is expected to increase this year, according to a recent USDA report, despite concerns from growers about beehive theft and a honeybee shortage in the late winter and spring. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Beck also keeps three goats and a few colonies of honeybees. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for honeybee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

honeybee

noun

hon·​ey·​bee -ˌbē 

: a bee that produces honey and lives in colonies

especially : a European bee widely kept in hives for the honey it produces

Medical Definition

honeybee

noun

hon·​ey·​bee ˈhən-ē-ˌbē 

: a honey-producing bee (Apis and related genera)

especially : a European bee (A. mellifera) introduced worldwide and kept in hives for the honey it produces