swarm
1a body of honeybees that emigrate from a hive and fly off together, accompanied by a queen, to start a new colony.
a body of bees settled together, as in a hive.
a great number of things or persons, especially in motion.
Biology. a group or aggregation of free-floating or free-swimming cells or organisms.
Geology. a cluster of earthquakes or other geologic phenomena or features.
to fly off together in a swarm, as bees.
to move about, along, forth, etc., in great numbers, as things or persons.
to congregate, hover, or occur in groups or multitudes; be exceedingly numerous, as in a place or area.
(of a place) to be thronged or overrun; abound or teem: The beach swarms with children on summer weekends.
Biology. to move or swim about in a swarm.
Origin of swarm
1synonym study For swarm
Other words for swarm
Other words from swarm
- swarmer, noun
Other definitions for swarm (2 of 2)
to climb by clasping with the legs and hands or arms and drawing oneself up; shin.
Origin of swarm
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use swarm in a sentence
Swarms of police, gunfire, panic—all foreign to a city known for its quaint, Commonwealth style, still air, and orderliness.
In their native habitat, swarms of these fish have been known to attack people and, in a few cases, kill.
The suitcases were soon after spotted by passersby who approached to see swarms of flies.
How ‘MrHandcuffs’ Ended Up With Two Corpses in Suitcases | Michael Daly | June 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBoxing fans everywhere reviled him and sent him swarms of venomous hate mail.
If Manny Pacquiao Loses to Timothy Bradley, This May Be the End | Allen Barra | April 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe cost of combating these swarms to prevent a public health crisis could be enormous, he adds.
How Climate Change Is Causing Chaos in the Animal Kingdom | Nina Strochlic | January 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The pavement is of rough cobble-stones, and swarms of dogs and children crowded the way everywhere.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car | Thomas D. MurphySteadily the second division won ground, though they seemed lost102 in the swarms of the enemy, 'as they were plunged in the sea.'
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonNo escape from the steadily rising flood of letters and files,—none from the swarms of filthy flies.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonIt might be said to the Chinese, to the Japanese, to the English—your government swarms with abuses, which you do not correct!
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers, to harass our people and eat out their substance.
Key-Notes of American Liberty | Various
British Dictionary definitions for swarm (1 of 2)
/ (swɔːm) /
a group of social insects, esp bees led by a queen, that has left the parent hive in order to start a new colony
a large mass of small animals, esp insects
a throng or mass, esp when moving or in turmoil
(intr) (of small animals, esp bees) to move in or form a swarm
(intr) to congregate, move about or proceed in large numbers
(when intr, often foll by with) to overrun or be overrun (with): the house swarmed with rats
(tr) to cause to swarm
Origin of swarm
1British Dictionary definitions for swarm (2 of 2)
/ (swɔːm) /
(when intr, usually foll by up) to climb (a ladder, etc) by gripping with the hands and feet: the boys swarmed up the rigging
Origin of swarm
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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