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

To prevent nectar waste, fill feeders a third of the way up with nectar and add additional nectar as more hummingbirds arrive. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2026

Fragrant white blooms resembling miniature fireworks open midsummer, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

Native plants, like the red buckeye, provide essential food sources for migrating wildlife such as hummingbirds. —Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

The group is working to establish pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife along a series of continuous corridors. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 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