honeybee

noun

hon·​ey·​bee ˈhə-nē-ˌbē How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
variants or honey bee
: a honey-producing bee (genus Apis of the family Apidae)
especially : a European bee (A. mellifera) introduced worldwide and kept in hives for the honey it produces

Illustration of honeybee

Illustration of honeybee
  • worker
  • queen
  • drone

Examples of honeybee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kleiser sees the vaccine as a first step toward keeping the roughly 3 million honeybee colonies in the U.S. healthy. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 The honeybee hives on the roof at Abt Electronics in Glenview are the giant retailer’s latest effort at environmentally sustainable initiatives that are also good for the bottom line. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024 Our local honeybee mentor has given us suggestions to help battle the most surprising seasonal task. Dani Benton, Contributor, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024 In 2017, the beloved spot near New Albany High School got a mural makeover with colorful sights of honeybees and doughnuts covered with smiles and pink icing. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for honeybee 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honeybee was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near honeybee

Cite this Entry

“Honeybee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honeybee. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

honeybee

noun
hon·​ey·​bee -ˌbē How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
: a bee that produces honey and lives in colonies
especially : a European bee widely kept in hives for the honey it produces

Medical Definition

honeybee

noun
hon·​ey·​bee ˈhən-ē-ˌbē How to pronounce honeybee (audio)
: a honey-producing bee (Apis and related genera)
especially : a European bee (A. mellifera) introduced worldwide and kept in hives for the honey it produces

More from Merriam-Webster on honeybee

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