hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd How to pronounce hummingbird (audio)
: 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

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

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.
By the front door, a hummingbird repeatedly flitted to the tubular magenta blooms of the Salvia spathacea. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Their vibrant, colorful blossoms add excitement and curb appeal while also attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other helpful pollinators. — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 These tanks, along with the plant’s colorful leaves also help to lure the plant’s pollinators such as the Big Three — bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. — Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026 Opening spring through fall in pure white to soft pink hues, the fragrant blooms are a favorite of butterflies, bumblebees, and hummingbirds. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hummingbird

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hummingbird was in 1637

Phrases Containing hummingbird

Rhymes for hummingbird

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Browse Nearby Words

hummer
hummingbird
hummingbird's trumpet
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Cite this Entry

“Hummingbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hummingbird. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun
hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd How to pronounce hummingbird (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on hummingbird

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hummingbird

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