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

The video showed Montag and Pratt hugging inside a camper set up on the property as their children excitedly pointed out hummingbirds and other wildlife. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The brilliant red blooms appear in late summer and continue into mid-fall, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 May 2026

There are blossoms that reach 15 feet tall, blooms that’ll scent the breeze coming through your windows, and petals sure to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. —Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2026

Agapanthus blooms attract hummingbirds and make excellent cut flowers. —Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 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