Definition of hornet
: any of the larger vespid wasps (as of the genus Vespa) — compare yellow jacket
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of hornet from the Web
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What kind of mindset must a person have to throw themselves into that hornets' nest?
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Hornets owner Michael Jordan (center) used to do a preseason availability with Charlotte media.
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Arrival On Aug. 11, 2010, Collison was obtained from the New Orleans Hornets in a four-team trade that sent Troy Murphy to the Nets.
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Arrival On Aug. 11, 2010, Collison was obtained from the New Orleans Hornets in a four-team trade that sent Troy Murphy to the Nets.
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ESPN, NESN; Radio: 1080 BASKETBALL 1 p.m.: Summer league: Hornets vs Thunder.
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Multiple classes compete on any given Saturday ranging from the rowdy Hornets to the lightning-fast Winged Sprints.
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There is nothing surprising in the fact that our missiles worked, or that our Hornet could engage and destroy the Syrian Air Force jet with near impunity at the individual level.
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The newest Royal Air Force Typhoons are scheduled to be retired in 2040, but other operators, especially Spain and its aging Hornets, would need the new plane sooner.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hornet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of hornet
Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnet; akin to Old High German hornaz hornet, Latin crabro
HORNET Defined for English Language Learners
hornet
playDefinition of hornet for English Language Learners
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: a flying insect that has a powerful sting
HORNET Defined for Kids
hornet
playDefinition of hornet for Students
: a large wasp that can give a severe sting
Learn More about hornet
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Spanish Central: Translation of hornet Nglish: Translation of hornet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hornet for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hornet
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