honeybee

noun

hon·​ey·​bee ˈhə-nē-ˌbē How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
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

Illustration of honeybee
  • worker
  • queen
  • drone

Examples of honeybee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
African honeybees as a mitigation method for elephant impact on trees Conservation Science and Practice. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2024 Oregano Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum Planting Time: Late spring, after threat of frost has passed The nectaries of oregano blooms are a little larger than those of cilantro and sweet alyssum and thus attract larger insects such as honeybees, native bees, and syrphid (flower) flies. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024 While not all bees sting, honeybees, carpenter bees and bumblebees are among bee species that can sting. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 15 June 2024 Jasmine meets Kristen for wine and tells her that she’s not invited, and Kristen gets madder than a honeybee with a hard-on. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for honeybee 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honeybee was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near honeybee

Cite this Entry

“Honeybee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honeybee. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

honeybee

noun
hon·​ey·​bee -ˌbē How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on honeybee

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