plural beehives
Synonyms of beehivenext
1
: hive sense 1
In the spring, two young grizzly bears, just out of a winter's sleep, … knocked over a half-dozen commercial beehives and fed on the honey and larvae within.Jim Robbins
2
: something resembling a hive for bees: such as
a
: a scene of crowded activity
… a beehive of growling trucks, riverboats laden with supplies, helicopters and airplanes buzzing overhead …National Geographic
b
: a woman's hairstyle that is conical in shape
She is about sixty-five with hair white as spun sugar, piled up in a beehive hairdo that has been out of style for twenty years.W. P. Kinsella
beehive adjective

Examples of beehive in a Sentence

The office was a beehive of activity. wearing her hair in a beehive
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Walking paths thread through the lavender fields, which are dotted with 40 beehives—home to the two million bees that produce the estate's honey. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026 About a year later, the grandmother launched a petition in the Scottish Parliament to ban beehives in public spaces until new safety laws are in place. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 Protect livestock, beehives, fruit trees and compost with electric fencing. Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026 The first technique involves braiding your hair into straight-back cornrows or a beehive and weaving the kinky, coily tresses in with a latch-hook crochet needle. Aleah Wright, InStyle, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beehive

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beehive was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beehive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beehive. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

beehive

1 of 2 noun
bee·​hive
ˈbē-ˌhīv
1
2
: hive entry 1 sense 2
a beehive of activity

beehive

2 of 2 adjective
: resembling a dome-shaped beehive

More from Merriam-Webster on beehive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster