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

Hinds notes that as natural food sources shift, wasps and hornets ramp up their search for sugars and proteins. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 16 June 2026

This week, Mike Babcock was identified as management’s coach of choice, and that brought a brand new hornet’s nest for fans. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 June 2026

Officials say a single undetected primary nest can produce a much larger secondary nest containing thousands of hornets and multiple reproductive queens capable of establishing new colonies. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 June 2026

In a week, something else will come up that [will stir up] the hornets' nest. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

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
• bald-faced 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