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

But attracting hummingbirds is probably more formulaic than that, and likely has everything to do with hummingbird nectar, rather than the divine. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026

Mother Nature must have designed fuchsias to flow from hanging baskets, with pendulous bicolor blooms dangling their ruffled skirts for hummingbirds to find. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Either way, these early flowering plants explode with gorgeous color in spring and attract early season bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 22 Apr. 2026

Their charming tubular flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. —Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 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