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

They also advise that locals keep vehicles free of food, lock doors and windows, and use electric fencing to protect beehives and chicken coops.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was like being inside an enormous beehive, with a constant buzz and people scurrying everywhere—costumers, stagehands, musicians, the choreographer and his many assistants.

Read more on Literature

As it turned out, the beehive ban was not common knowledge, even to the beekeepers association, said its president, Cheryl Koeller, in an email.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There was a field next to our house, which I had put beehives in, with permission from the owner.

Read more on BBC

Trails lead past old-fashioned greenhouses, beehives, and eucalyptus, palm and cork trees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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