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
Synonyms
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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
The bees came at the invitation of mall’s owner, which sells their honey to shoppers.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
The bees learned the difference and visited the appropriate chamber when shown each color.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Royal fans may be disappointed to learn that, judging by the trailer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't make an appearance in the show—but their influence can bee keenly felt.
—Clara Strunck, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bee 
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Noun
So far, the new Andrena bee has been found in Texas and Oklahoma.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
The bees came at the invitation of mall’s owner, which sells their honey to shoppers.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
The bees learned the difference and visited the appropriate chamber when shown each color.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Royal fans may be disappointed to learn that, judging by the trailer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't make an appearance in the show—but their influence can bee keenly felt.
—Clara Strunck, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bee
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Cite this Entry
“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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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