bee

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: 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
2
: an eccentric notion : fancy
beelike 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

Examples of bee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The ladies who lunch resist Wiig's entreaties – especially Janney's Evelyn, the reigning queen bee. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 In addition to naming A+ schools and Teacher of the Year, the nonprofit hosts Arizona's annual spelling bee. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024 There’s one more factor, though, since the spelling bee is on live television. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 As skies dim, horses take cover, flying bald eagles change their speeds and honey bees slow their foraging. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, the strength of the play is in its performances, exhibited on Nina Ball’s exquisite metaphor of a set that constantly reminds of the stickiness and peril that comes with the plight of the honey bee. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 This 8th-grader from Argentina just won the spelling bee for the third year in a row 15 rounds during the 2024 Miami-Dade, Monroe bee Wednesday’s bee lasted for 15 rounds, or about three hours. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Rupert is dating Florence (Georgina Sadler), queen bee and bestie to Beatrix (Tallulah Greive), who takes an immediate interest in Jaheim, and Abby (Assa Kanoute), Leah’s roommate and one of the school’s only other students of color. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Stroke of Midnight At InterContinental New York Barclay’s restaurant The Parlour, The Stroke of Midnight features Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Barclay Honey (harvested from the bee apiary on the hotel’s rooftop!), orange bitters and Campo Viejo Cava. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near bee

Cite this Entry

“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bee

1 of 2 noun
: 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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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