hive

1 of 2

noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

2

: a colony of bees

3

: a place swarming with activity

hiveless

ˈhīv-ləs 

adjective

hive

2 of 2

verb

hived; hiving

intransitive verb

1

of bees : to enter and take possession of a hive

2

: to reside in close association

transitive verb

1

: to collect into a hive

2

: to store up in or as if in a hive

Examples of hive in a Sentence

Noun

The house was a hive of activity as we prepared for the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Gavin hopes to take a hive home with him when he is released. —Alicia Devine, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Inflation, which drives the price of most things up, including honey and hive supplies, has allowed even hobbyist beekeepers to qualify for the Census. —Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Stress hormones like cortisol can lead to skin inflammation and hives. —Karen Pallarito, Health, 24 Mar. 2024

The infinity pool and bar is a social hive, and the hotel has some of the best breakfasts on the island, with homemade granolas, fresh guava juice and jams. —Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024

The new bill, waiting for Holcomb's signature, allows an HOA to regulate honeybee hives but not prohibit them. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024

Bugs Even insects get into the cleaning game: Bees and ants remove dead bodies from hives and tunnels – a behavior known as necrophoresis that is done to prevent the spread of disease. —Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024

The day has come for the Queen and her hive to come together. —Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Our group got to hold the frames of the hives and bees in our gloved hands, followed by raw honeycomb tasting. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hȳf; perhaps akin to Old Norse hūfr ship's hull, Latin cūpa tub, Sanskrit kūpa cave

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hive

• hive mind
• hive off

Kids Definition

hive

1 of 2 noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

c

: a colony of bees

2

: a place swarming with busy occupants

hive

2 of 2 verb

hived; hiving

1

a

: to collect into a hive

hive bees

b

: to enter and take over a hive or nesting place

2

: to live or gather in close association

Medical Definition

hive

noun

ˈhīv 

: the raised edematous red patch of skin or mucous membrane characteristic of hives : an urticarial wheal