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
: the letter b
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
bachelor of electrical engineering
Synonyms
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
New York Times Games, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Learn how to attract bees and butterflies to your garden.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Nuccio’s Nurseries offers more than 500 varieties of camellias, many created by cross-pollinating bees and then nurtured by the owners.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
According to safety data sheet information, the compounds in the spray are non-toxic to bees, birds, mammals, and fish, and appear to be biodegradable, albeit slowly.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bee 
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Noun
Trying to go back to the Spelling Bee? Want to learn more about bees?
—New York Times Games, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Learn how to attract bees and butterflies to your garden.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Nuccio’s Nurseries offers more than 500 varieties of camellias, many created by cross-pollinating bees and then nurtured by the owners.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
According to safety data sheet information, the compounds in the spray are non-toxic to bees, birds, mammals, and fish, and appear to be biodegradable, albeit slowly.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bee
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Cite this Entry
“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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