hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

plural hornets

: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also european hornet, northern giant hornet, yellow-legged hornet compare bald-faced hornet

Examples of hornet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2011 to 2021, there were 788 deaths in the United States attributed to stings from hornets, wasps, and bees, averaging about 72 deaths per year. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

The three most commonly encountered are hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets. —Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 72 deaths per year came from hornets, wasps and bee stings, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025

Marcos Lopez bonded out of jail and the crowd of reporters looked like a swarm of hornets. —Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnet; akin to Old High German hornaz hornet, Latin crabro

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hornet

• Asian giant hornet
• Asian hornet
• baldfaced hornet
• European hornet
• giant hornet
• hornet's nest
• Japanese giant hornet
• murder hornet
• northern giant hornet
• white-faced hornet
• yellow legged hornet

Rhymes for hornet

• cornett

Kids Definition

hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

: any of the larger wasps that live in colonies