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

Don’t forget pollinator favorites to support bees, butterflies and hummingbirds in your garden. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 May 2025

Hummingbird history During the research process, the study authors sifted through newspaper archives in California, tracking hummingbird feeder mentions by county and comparing that to census data and scientific bird counts. —Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 23 May 2025

Shop more feeders for birds and hummingbirds below — all on sale right now at Amazon. —Clint Davis, People.com, 12 May 2025

Attract hummingbirds and butterflies with wildflowers. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025

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