hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usually hover rather than perch when feeding

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pentas come in a wide range of colors (the red ones will attract hummingbirds, too). —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

Bird lovers should hop on this $15 glass hummingbird feeder or this solar bird feeder deal ASAP, as both styles are super popular and selling in droves. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2026

Spring is just around the corner, which means the trees will start to bud, flowers will bloom and hummingbirds will begin humming by your ears. —Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026

Some of the plants that will attract hummingbirds include cuphea, cardinals, coral honeysuckle, beebalm, blue anise sage and Texas or scarlet sage. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hummingbird

• ruby-throated hummingbird

Rhymes for hummingbird

• afterword
• firebird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword

Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of numerous tiny brightly colored American birds related to the swifts and having narrow swiftly beating wings, a slender bill, and a long tongue for sipping nectar