plural hornets
: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also european hornet, northern giant hornet, yellow-legged hornet compare bald-faced hornet
Examples of hornet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Officials said the first hornet to reach North America likely stowed away in a shipping container or plant pots.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
In October, a person reported a suspicious hornet sighting in Kitsap County, Washington, officials said, but the state Agriculture Department was never able to obtain the hornet, so it could not be tested to confirm whether the species of murder hornets popped up in a new area.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
The county has not encountered the hornets since December 2021, making the recent three-year mark the official declaration that the species has been eradicated.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The hornet is a threat to the honeybee and other insects, with the ability to kill entire honeybee colonies in 90 minuets.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
In October, a person reported a suspicious hornet sighting in Kitsap County, Washington, officials said, but the state Agriculture Department was never able to obtain the hornet, so it could not be tested to confirm whether the species of murder hornets popped up in a new area.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
The county has not encountered the hornets since December 2021, making the recent three-year mark the official declaration that the species has been eradicated.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The hornet is a threat to the honeybee and other insects, with the ability to kill entire honeybee colonies in 90 minuets.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hornet
Dictionary Entries Near hornet
Cite this Entry
“Hornet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hornet. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hornet
noun
hor·net
ˈhȯr-nət 
: any of the larger wasps that live in colonies
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