honeycomb

1 of 2

noun

hon·​ey·​comb ˈhə-nē-ˌkōm 

1

: a mass of hexagonal wax cells built by honeybees in their nest to contain their brood and stores of honey

2

: something that resembles a honeycomb in structure or appearance

especially : a strong lightweight cellular structural material

honeycomb

2 of 2

verb

honeycombed; honeycombing; honeycombs

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to be full of cavities like a honeycomb

b

: to make into a checkered pattern : fret

2

a

: to penetrate into every part : fill

b

: subvert, weaken

intransitive verb

: to become pitted, checked, or cellular

Examples of honeycomb in a Sentence

Noun

One of the honeycombs was empty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The honeycomb structure sits in the center of the block, surrounded by a high-end mall to the east, the moveable arts center The Shed to the south, a train yard and the Hudson River to the west, and a small park and rooftop Equinox pool to the north. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024

The curve of the head is designed to minimize drag and boost swing speed, while the honeycomb core provides ample power. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 22 July 2024

Verb

Basilica Cistern Istanbul Beneath Istanbul, the earth is honeycombed with cisterns, first carved in the sixth century to provide water for the rapidly growing Byzantine city. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 July 2024

Its ways are too ossified, and it is honeycombed with fiefs. —Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1735, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

honeycomb

1 of 2 noun

hon·​ey·​comb -ˌkōm 

1

: a mass of six-sided wax cells built by honeybees in their nest to contain young bees and stores of honey

2

: something that resembles a honeycomb in structure or appearance

honeycomb

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become full of holes like a honeycomb

Medical Definition

honeycomb

noun

hon·​ey·​comb -ˌkōm 

: reticulum sense 1