hummed; humming
1
a
: to utter a sound like that of the speech sound \m\ prolonged
humming along with the music
b
: to make the natural noise of an insect in motion or a similar sound : drone
listening to the bees hum in the garden
c
: to give forth a low continuous blend of sound
the sound of children's voices with which the house was always humming—
J. M. Brinnin
J. M. Brinnin2
a
: to be busily active
the museum hummed with visitors
b
: to run smoothly
the business started to hum
1
: to sing with the lips closed and without uttering speech sounds distinctly
hum a tune
2
: to express by making a vocal sound with the lips pressed together : to affect by humming
hummed his displeasure
hum
noun
hum
2 of 2chiefly British spelling of hem entry 3, hem entry 4
Synonyms
Examples of hum in a Sentence
Verb
The garden was humming with bees.
The refrigerator hummed in the background.
I was humming to myself.
We hummed along to the music.
I hummed a little song.
By noon, the office was really humming.
The restaurant hums on weekends.
Recent Examples on the WebKayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2024
The medical machinery in the room hummed and beeped, but everything still felt quiet.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
As much of the U.S. copes with stifling heat this weekend, air conditioners have been humming, aiding comfort and survival.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 22 June 2024
Instead, the economy has hummed along and price increases have largely stalled.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hum 
Verb
Pizza Baby West, the location nominated, is a more Americana-style pizza restaurant, with music humming, TVs up and 18-inch rounds being slung in the kitchen and devoured at tables.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2024
The medical machinery in the room hummed and beeped, but everything still felt quiet.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
As much of the U.S. copes with stifling heat this weekend, air conditioners have been humming, aiding comfort and survival.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 22 June 2024
Instead, the economy has hummed along and price increases have largely stalled.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hum
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hum. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hum
noun
: a sound like that made by humming
especially
: venous hum
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share