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

Per his account, Gunner is interested in hummingbirds, karate and soccer. —Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Red Dyes People sometimes add red dye to hummingbird nectar because the color is known to attract hummingbirds, but this can be harmful to birds. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026

Arizona's animals include bobcats, javelinas, snakes, deer, hummingbirds, scorpions and more. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 24 Dec. 2025

Obviously a hummingbird isn’t going to try to eat a walnut, and a pelican isn’t going to try to sip from a nectar feeder. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 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