hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

plural hornets

: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also european hornet, northern giant hornet, yellow-legged hornet compare bald-faced hornet

Examples of hornet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The yellowjackets, paper wasps, hornets, and even honey bees are wandering around looking for easy-to-lick spots of honeydew and ignoring the lanternflies themselves. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024

Best show patience with young Buffs who’ll have to learn on the fly while traveling to hoops hornets nests such as Stillwater (Jan. 18), Tucson (Jan. 21), Lawrence (Feb. 11), Ames (Feb. 18) and Lubbock (March 5) this winter. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024

My main criticism would be that anyone reading the response might not be cognizant of the hornet’s nest underlying the question. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

What does the height of a hornet or wasp nest say about winter weather? —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnet; akin to Old High German hornaz hornet, Latin crabro

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hornet

• Asian giant hornet
• Asian hornet
• baldfaced hornet
• European hornet
• giant hornet
• hornet's nest
• Japanese giant hornet
• murder hornet
• northern giant hornet
• white-faced hornet
• yellow legged hornet

Kids Definition

hornet

noun

hor·​net ˈhȯr-nət 

: any of the larger wasps that live in colonies