1
: any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee, bumblebee, carpenter bee, honeybee, sweat bee
2
: an eccentric notion : fancy
: the letter b
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
bachelor of electrical engineering
Examples of bee in a Sentence
Noun (1)
she got a sudden bee to quit her job and move to South Carolina
Recent Examples on the Web
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
In the 100 years that have followed, millions of children have participated in classroom spelling bees, which funnel into schoolwide bees, regional bees and finally, the national event in Maryland near Washington D.C., held this year May 27-29.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
What to do if you’re stung by a bee
The University of Florida advises a person do the following if they are stung by a bee:
Scrape the stingers out with a blunt object, like a fingernail or credit card.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Honey produced by some species of Australian stingless bees possesses impressive bacteria- and fungi-killing properties, according to new research.
—New Atlas, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bee
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Noun
Sun-loving blanket flowers are a beloved native wildflower abuzz with butterflies and native bees.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
In the 100 years that have followed, millions of children have participated in classroom spelling bees, which funnel into schoolwide bees, regional bees and finally, the national event in Maryland near Washington D.C., held this year May 27-29.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
What to do if you’re stung by a bee
The University of Florida advises a person do the following if they are stung by a bee:
Scrape the stingers out with a blunt object, like a fingernail or credit card.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Honey produced by some species of Australian stingless bees possesses impressive bacteria- and fungi-killing properties, according to new research.
—New Atlas, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bee
Cite this Entry
“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bee
1 of 2 noun
: any of numerous insects (as the honeybees and bumblebees) that feed on pollen and nectar and sometimes produce honey and that differ from the wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts
bee
2 of 2 noun
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
Etymology
Noun
Old English bēo "bee"
Noun
perhaps from a dialect word been "help given by neighbors," derived from Old English bēn "prayer"
Medical Definition
bee
noun
: honeybee
broadly
: any of numerous hymenopteran insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee
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