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

This can cause serious allergic symptoms, including hives, respiratory symptoms and sometimes, anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can involve tightening of airways. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

View gallery - 4 images Honeybees routinely travel up to 2 miles (3 km) from their hive in search of food before returning home, with remarkable accuracy. —New Atlas, 8 June 2026

Botts says symptoms are two to eight hours delayed after exposure, and can include hives or rash, nausea, stomach pain, cough, shortness of breath and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or eyelids. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Immediate symptoms can include hives, wheezing, itching, or a tingling feeling around the lips or mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, coughing or shortness of breath, and vomiting. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 June 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