hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usually hover rather than perch when feeding

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Activities and Amenities Many guests simply stroll the winding paths of the hotel’s 12-acre grounds to see the fruit trees, flowers, gardens, and hummingbirds, relaxing at one of the many seating areas tucked away amid foliage and blossoms. —Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024

Visitors can also wander through the pollinator garden in search of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and more. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024

And the webs don’t just affect small birds like hummingbirds and songbirds—there have been reports of large birds, like owls, becoming entangled as well. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024

To avoid that, hummingbirds shut down their kidneys every night. —Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hummingbird

• ruby-throated hummingbird

Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of numerous tiny brightly colored American birds related to the swifts and having narrow swiftly beating wings, a slender bill, and a long tongue for sipping nectar