bee

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbē 

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

beelike

ˈbē-ˌlīk 

adjective

bee

2 of 4

noun (2)

: the letter b

bee

3 of 4

noun (3)

: a gathering of people for a specific purpose

a quilting bee

BEE

4 of 4

abbreviation

bachelor of electrical engineering

Phrases

bee in one's bonnet

: bee entry 1 sense 2

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• whim
• whimsy
• whimsey

Examples of bee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The couple kept bees and began experimenting with mead. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024

While Herbert never intended it, Texas bee exemptions have become big business. —Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

What’s more important is the feed—four parts sugar, one part water—because the very smell of it attracts the hummers, and important features like perches and anything that discourages ants and bees from infiltrating. —Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024

And as their genes started to mix ― thanks to our friends the honey bees ― the fruit set started, the seedlings popped up, and the spread started to grow. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024

This perennial will draw bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and more with its flowers. —Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024

And, this pesticide is a neonicotinoid chemical, which is harmful to bees. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

But seasonal mismatches between flowers and pollinators could pose problems for commercial fruit growers, particularly those that use native bees rather than bred honeybees to pollinate their crops. —Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

As for those seasonal allergies, some local bee pollen might help. —Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English bēo; akin to Old High German bīa bee, Old Irish bech, Lithuanian bitis

Noun (3)

perhaps from English dialect been help given by neighbors, from Middle English bene prayer, boon, from Old English bēn prayer — more at boon entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1769, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bee

• bee tree
• carpenter bee
• humble-bee
• have a bee in one's bonnet
• bee fly
• killer bee
• bee-stung
• busy bee
• bee-eater
• busy as a bee
• spelling bee
• Africanized bee
• bee balm
• as busy as a bee
• bee's knees
• sweat bee
• bumble bee
• honey bee
• the bee's knees
• bee in one's bonnet

Kids Definition

bee

1 of 2 noun

ˈbē 

: 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

ˈbē 

: 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