hive

1 of 2

noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

2

: a colony of bees

3

: a place swarming with activity

hiveless

ˈhīv-ləs 

adjective

hive

2 of 2

verb

hived; hiving

intransitive verb

1

of bees : to enter and take possession of a hive

2

: to reside in close association

transitive verb

1

: to collect into a hive

2

: to store up in or as if in a hive

Examples of hive in a Sentence

Noun

The house was a hive of activity as we prepared for the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Learn about the basic considerations for potential beekeepers including, legal aspects, space needs, risks, equipment needed, startup costs, time requirements for hive maintenance. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024

All holidays are fine, but the warm-weather ones (one down, two to go) draw the city’s dwellers from their hives out into the green and blue yonder, leaving the place, and their neighbors who remain, half-empty, and half-alone. —Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 13 June 2024

On the west side, House of Honey in Peoria infuses their espresso with honey from the family's own hives for subtly sweet iced drinks like the cinnamon honey latte. —Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 30 May 2024

Some nest in the ground, some in wood, some in brick siding, and some build traditional hives, like the honeybee. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hȳf; perhaps akin to Old Norse hūfr ship's hull, Latin cūpa tub, Sanskrit kūpa cave

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hive

• hive mind
• hive off

Kids Definition

hive

1 of 2 noun

ˈhīv 

1

a

: a container for housing honeybees

b

: the usually aboveground nest of bees

c

: a colony of bees

2

: a place swarming with busy occupants

hive

2 of 2 verb

hived; hiving

1

a

: to collect into a hive

hive bees

b

: to enter and take over a hive or nesting place

2

: to live or gather in close association

Medical Definition

hive

noun

ˈhīv 

: the raised edematous red patch of skin or mucous membrane characteristic of hives : an urticarial wheal