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

This honeycomb yellow tank and skirt set from It-girl brand Peixoto gives pretty prairie promenade vibes—ideal for those sunny summer days wandering the grounds of a historic French chateau or galavanting through a rustic Italian vineyard. —Morgan Evans, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Other permeable substances used for runoff control include stone beds, brick pavers or honeycomb-style structures. —Aya Diab, Fortune, 23 May 2026

Verb

These include a three-zone waist pad, honeycomb silicone anti-slip structure, and ergonomic back pad to keep the device stable during longer uses. —New Atlas, 29 May 2026

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