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

Do not make quick, unexpected movements near hives and do not swat at bees, which can trigger defensive behavior. —Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026

During one frightening allergic reaction, her child’s body erupts in hives and her breathing becomes labored, sending the family rushing to emergency care. —Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026

And when a restaurant fails to manage allergens carefully, and a customer has a reaction, the results can range widely from uncomfortable swelling and hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis, a life-threatening acute hypersensitivity reaction that requires immediate treatment at a hospital. —K. H. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 18 Mar. 2026

In another incident, the documents said Eric Richins broke out in hives and experienced difficulty breathing after eating a sandwich that his wife had made for him on Valentine's Day 2022, shortly before his death. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for hive

• dive
• drive
• five
• jive
• live
• strive
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive

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