beehive

[bee-hahyv]

noun

1. a habitation or dwelling-place constructed for bees, bee, usually either dome-shaped or box-shaped.

2. a natural habitation of bees, bee, as a hollowed-out tree.

3. a crowded, busy place.

4. something resembling an artificial beehive in appearance, as a hut or hairdo.

5. Also called beehive oven. an oven for converting coal into coke, characterized by its dome-shaped roof.

beehive

¹

/ ˈbiːˌhaɪv /

noun

1. a man-made receptacle used to house a swarm of bees

2. a dome-shaped hair style in which the hair is piled high on the head

3. a place where busy people are assembled

Beehive

²

/ ˈbiːˌhaɪv /

noun

1. the dome-shaped building that houses sections of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand

2. the New Zealand government

Word History and Origins

Origin of beehive¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; bee ¹, hive

Example Sentences

The mayor of Aurillac, Pierre Mathonier, was reported as saying that Asian hornets threatening a beehive may have been the catalyst for the attack.

From BBC

Instead, he said that the unusual incident may have been due to the bee colony becoming too large for its beehive and becoming "overactive" when the beekeeper handled it.

From BBC

This batting beehive shows how straight England bowled to Shubman Gill.

From BBC

The trailer — released Thursday by Focus Features — opens with a voiceover, a metaphor and a shot of a beehive.

From Los Angeles Times

Dressed in a revealing keyhole dress and towering beehive wig, Carpenter comes to Simon Says for the ambience and the chance to dress in drag.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• braid 
• dreadlocks 
• haircut 
• hairdo 
• headdress 
• ponytail