hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usually hover rather than perch when feeding

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her arms windmill like the hummingbirds’ wings shot in slo-mo. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025

Drones were flying about the building, buzzing like robotic hummingbirds. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

The lounge is to be called Bar Hummingbird, an homage to Jo’s Mexican heritage, to which the hovering little birds are important, as well as Castle Rock’s location within hummingbird migration paths. —Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2025

The male’s head is covered in red feathers, and the Anna’s hummingbird is a permanent resident of the Bay Area, finding our warmer winters preferable to a long migration. —Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hummingbird

• ruby-throated hummingbird

Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd 

: any of numerous tiny brightly colored American birds related to the swifts and having narrow swiftly beating wings, a slender bill, and a long tongue for sipping nectar