bee

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbē 

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

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• whim
• whimsy
• whimsey

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

Another bee is her ire regarding publishers’ dust covers and press materials. —Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Unlike honey bees, which store their honey in a wax honeycomb, stingless bees store theirs in pots of wax mixed with tree resins. —New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024

But in 2013, the feds decided that the pesticide family that includes malathion was indeed dangerous — even toxic — to many species of fish, plants, insects and animals, including the Mississippi sandhill crane and bees. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Planting them near turnip plants attracts bees and other pollinators necessary for a healthy crop. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing bee

• Africanized bee
• as busy as a bee
• bee balm
• bee-eater
• bee fly
• bee's knees
• bee-stung
• bee tree
• bumble bee
• busy as a bee
• busy bee
• carpenter bee
• have a bee in one's bonnet
• honey bee
• humble-bee
• killer bee
• spelling bee
• sweat bee
• the bee's knees

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