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

Our nectar feeders are filled with hummingbirds and hooded orioles. —Ernie Cowan, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025

The showy, fragrant blooms provide an important early source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025

With its grandiose guanacaste trees and colorful flowers pollinated by indigenous bees, wasps and hummingbirds, Reserva Conchal is perfect for a thorough immersion into the dazzling flora found in abundance across western Costa Rica. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Consider one that’s an early source of pollen for bumblebees (dandelions) or another that’s the host plants for hummingbird clearwing moths and snowberry clearwing moths (bush honeysuckle). —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 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