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

Tiny hummingbirds and warblers need very little water, while larger birds like robins and mourning doves appreciate slightly deeper areas. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

The flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026

In fact, the National Audubon Society reports that the retina of a hummingbird is wired to heighten the brightness of both red and yellow because the colors indicate a food source. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026

But hummingbirds don’t live on sugar water alone, so while hanging some feeders is useful, creating a holistic habitat that provides them with other nutritional and life needs is just as critical. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 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