hovered; hovering
ˈhə-v(ə-)riŋ 
ˈhä-
: to position (a computer cursor) over something (such as an image or icon) without selecting it
Many in the class hovered their cursors over words and icons for long periods before committing to clicking their mouse.—
Kelly Heyboer
Kelly Heyboer1
a
: to hang fluttering in the air or on the wing
A hawk hovered overhead.
b
: to remain suspended over a place or object
a hummingbird hovering over the flowers
Helicopters hovered above us.
2
a
: to move to and fro near a place : fluctuate around a given point
Unemployment hovered around 10 percent.
b
: to be in a state of uncertainty, irresolution, or suspense
… hovering uncomfortably behind a cigar …—Tennessee Williams
Tennessee WilliamsThe country hovers on the brink of famine.
plural hovers
: the act or state of hovering in the air
Ospreys were most successful hunting from a hover and spent more of their hunting time doing it that way.—John P. Wiley, Jr.
John P. Wiley, Jr.After a careful check outside to ensure that his flight path was clear, one of the pilots lifted his helicopter to a hover, then maneuvered to the middle of the valley.—Breck Henderson
Breck HendersonExamples of hover in a Sentence
Verb
Watch as the hummingbird hovers over the flowers.
Bees hovered around the hive.
Waiters hovered near our table.
nervous mothers hovering over their children
Unemployment rates were hovering around 10 percent.
Temperatures will continue to hover around freezing.
The patient was hovering between life and death.
The country hovers on the brink of famine.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Karaban, whose numbers have always hovered in the same range, saw the biggest dip of his career.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
In the video, Kid Rock is seen standing near the pool as the aircraft hovers briefly before flying away.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hover
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Video from the rescue shows the helicopter descending near the Seneca River and then hovering over the water, where the dog is struggling to keep its head above the surface.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Karaban, whose numbers have always hovered in the same range, saw the biggest dip of his career.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
Often the feelings of displacement hover in the background, as in my novel about Henry James, The Master, or are much sharper and painful, as in my novel about Thomas Mann, The Magician.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
In the video, Kid Rock is seen standing near the pool as the aircraft hovers briefly before flying away.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hover
Cite this Entry
“Hover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hover. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hovered; hovering
-(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to hang fluttering in the air or on the wing
a bird hovered overhead
b
: to remain floating over a place or object
2
a
: to move to and fro near a place
waiters hovered about
b
: to be in an undecided or uncertain state
hovering between life and death
hover
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
