the birds and the bees
plural noun
informal + humorous
: the facts about sex that are told to children
He dreaded having to explain about the birds and the bees to his son.
Examples of the birds and the bees in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While planning your spring planting, don’t forget the birds and the bees, Miller said.
—
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Here are seven ideas to keep both the birds and the bees happy and healthy in your yard.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 28 Feb. 2026
How about leaving a brush pile in the back corner of the garden for the birds and the bees.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Often times an awkward or dreaded moment in kids' education may be learning about the birds and the bees.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 3 May 2025
No one will teach you unless your parents are talking the birds and the bees of money or a mentor is setting you straight early on.
—Hisham Ahmad, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
To wake up with the birds and the bees and the trees.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Maybe this explains why the teen has precisely zero friends to tell her about the birds and the bees.
—Zoe Haylock, Vulture, 16 May 2024
Those can be the birds and the bees, yes, but also butterflies, beetles, and bats.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 8 May 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Here are seven ideas to keep both the birds and the bees happy and healthy in your yard.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 28 Feb. 2026
How about leaving a brush pile in the back corner of the garden for the birds and the bees.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Often times an awkward or dreaded moment in kids' education may be learning about the birds and the bees.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 3 May 2025
No one will teach you unless your parents are talking the birds and the bees of money or a mentor is setting you straight early on.
—Hisham Ahmad, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
To wake up with the birds and the bees and the trees.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Maybe this explains why the teen has precisely zero friends to tell her about the birds and the bees.
—Zoe Haylock, Vulture, 16 May 2024
Those can be the birds and the bees, yes, but also butterflies, beetles, and bats.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 8 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“The birds and the bees.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20birds%20and%20the%20bees. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
