swarm

play

noun \ˈswȯrm\

Definition of swarm

1a : a great number of honeybees emigrating together from a hive in company with a queen to start a new colony elsewhereb : a colony of honeybees settled in a hive
2a : a large number of animate or inanimate things massed together and usually in motion : throng swarms of sightseers a swarm of locusts a swarm of meteorsb : a number of similar geological features or phenomena close together in space or time a swarm of dikes an earthquake swarm

See swarm defined for English-language learners

See swarm defined for kids

Examples of swarm in a Sentence

a swarm of tourists descends upon the island every summer

Origin and Etymology of swarm

Middle English, from Old English swearm; akin to Old High German swaram swarm and probably to Latin susurrus hum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

swarm

verb

Definition of swarm

intransitive verb
1 : to form and depart from a hive in a swarm
2a : to move or assemble in a crowd : throngb : to hover about in the manner of a bee in a swarm
3 : to contain a swarm : teem swarming with bugs
transitive verb
1 : to fill with a swarm
2 : to beset or surround in a swarm players swarming the quarterback

swarmer

noun

First Known Use of swarm

14th century

swarm

verb

Definition of swarm

intransitive verb
: to climb with the hands and feet; specifically : shin swarm up a pole
transitive verb
: to climb up : mount

Origin and Etymology of swarm

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

SWARM Defined for English Language Learners

swarm

play

noun

Definition of swarm for English Language Learners

: a very large number of insects moving together

SWARM Defined for Kids

swarm

play

noun \ˈswȯrm\

Definition of swarm for Students

1 : a large number of bees that leave a hive together to form a new colony elsewhere
2 : a large number grouped together and usually in motion a swarm of mosquitoes a swarm of tourists

swarm

play

verb

Definition of swarm for Students

swarmed

;

swarming

1 : to form a swarm and leave the hive swarming bees
2 : to move or gather in a large number Shoppers swarmed into the stores.
3 : to be filled with a great number : teem “A-a-are there really ghosts in the attic?” … “It's just swarming with all sorts of ghosts …” — Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking