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honeybee
noun
hon·ey·bee
ˈhə-nē-ˌbē
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
Examples of honeybee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hornet, an invasive species from Asia, can kill an entire hive of honeybees in as little as 90 minutes, according to agriculture officials.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024
Moreover, hornets fed with 80 percent ethanol lived out their typical three-month-long lifespan; their honeybee counterparts died within 24 hours.
—Rachel Berkowitz, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
The next step is to expand beyond honeybees to other invertebrates, starting with shrimp, where early tests are showing positive results.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Only one type of bee is allowed to be cultivated in Slovenia, the indigenous Carniolan honeybee, and beekeepers pride themselves on the flavor of the final product, which reflects the environment the bees inhabit.
—Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
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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
Articles Related to honeybee
Dictionary Entries Near honeybee
Cite this Entry
“Honeybee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honeybee. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
honeybee
noun
hon·ey·bee
-ˌbē
: 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
: 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
Nglish: Translation of honeybee for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about honeybee
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