beeswax
noun
bees·wax
ˈbēz-ˌwaks 
1
: a substance that is secreted by honeybees and is used by them for constructing the honeycomb, that is a dull, typically yellow solid that is plastic when warm, and that is composed primarily of a mixture of esters, hydrocarbons, and fatty acids : wax sense 1
Note: Beeswax is typically colorless when first secreted but takes on a yellow or brownish color after bits of pollen, propolis, and other matter becomes mixed in. White beeswax sold commercially consists of yellow beeswax that has been subjected to bleaching or has been filtered to remove impurities. Beeswax is used as an ingredient in various products including candles, cosmetics, and sealants.
2
US, informal
: personal concern : business
—used chiefly in the phrases mind your own beeswax and none of your beeswax
Examples of beeswax in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Avoid plastic wrap or zip-top bags, and instead wrap your cheese in parchment paper, wax paper, beeswax wraps, or cheese paper, giving it a chance to breathe while retaining its moisture.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Painted in encaustic using hot beeswax and pigment on a wooden panel, the piece will be a highlight during Sotheby’s Masters Week sales in New York.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Other ingredients in a gel tablet or capsule may include sunflower oil, glycerin, gelatin, beeswax, and sunflower lecithin.
—Rebeca Schiller, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
When the board dries, apply a coat of oil and beeswax cream to remoisturize the wood.
—Lizzy Briskin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beeswax
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Painted in encaustic using hot beeswax and pigment on a wooden panel, the piece will be a highlight during Sotheby’s Masters Week sales in New York.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Other ingredients in a gel tablet or capsule may include sunflower oil, glycerin, gelatin, beeswax, and sunflower lecithin.
—Rebeca Schiller, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
When the board dries, apply a coat of oil and beeswax cream to remoisturize the wood.
—Lizzy Briskin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beeswax
Cite this Entry
“Beeswax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beeswax. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beeswax
noun
bees·wax
ˈbēz-ˌwaks
Medical Definition
beeswax
noun
bees·wax
ˈbēz-ˌwaks
1
2
a
b
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