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 grounds run wild with deer, fox, hawks, hummingbirds, and the occasional brown bear. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 29 June 2026

Plant a butterfly or hummingbird garden. — Parents, 11 June 2026

Its bright red tubular flowers keep on blooming even in summer's hottest months, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. — Ann Hinga Klein, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026

Salvia Pollinators love salvia, so keeping the blooms going all season will keep the bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies coming back to your yard. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 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