bee

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbē

: any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee, bumblebee, carpenter bee, honeybee, sweat bee

: an eccentric notion : fancy

beelike

ˈbē-ˌlīk

adjective

bee

2 of 4

noun (2)

: the letter b

bee

3 of 4

noun (3)

: a gathering of people for a specific purpose

a quilting bee

BEE

4 of 4

abbreviation

bachelor of electrical engineering

Phrases

bee in one's bonnet

: bee entry 1 sense 2

Examples of bee in a Sentence

Noun (1) she got a sudden bee to quit her job and move to South Carolina

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Original paintings showcase some of the stars of the nearby show, including hummingbirds, bees and yarrow. —

Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 2 July 2024 In what may be the biological equivalent to getting struck by lightning, a very unlucky man in the Philadelphia area took a very rare bee sting directly to the eyeball—and things went badly from there. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024 And in Maine, wild blueberry farmers are switching to large harvesting machines to keep up with industry competition at the same time as climate change is leading to earlier harvests, high heat, periodic drought and a decline in native bee populations that are essential for pollination. —

Kate Olson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024 At 13, Bates, of Pikesville, won the first Baltimore-area spelling bee, sponsored by The Sunpapers, to reach the nationals in Washington, D.C. —

Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for bee

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bee.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English bēo; akin to Old High German bīa bee, Old Irish bech, Lithuanian bitis

Noun (3)

perhaps from English dialect been help given by neighbors, from Middle English bene prayer, boon, from Old English bēn prayer — more at boon entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of bee was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

bee

1 of 2 noun

ˈbē

: any of numerous insects (as the honeybees and bumblebees) that feed on pollen and nectar and sometimes produce honey and that differ from the wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts

bee

2 of 2 noun

: a gathering of people for a specific purpose

a quilting bee

Etymology

Noun

Old English bēo "bee"

Noun

perhaps from a dialect word been "help given by neighbors," derived from Old English bēn "prayer"

Medical Definition

bee

noun

ˈbē

: honeybee

broadly : any of numerous hymenopteran insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee

Last Updated: 10 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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bee

noun (1)

noun (2)

noun (3)

abbreviation

Synonyms

Examples of bee in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near bee

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition