a habitation or dwelling-place constructed for bees, usually either dome-shaped or box-shaped.
a natural habitation of bees, as a hollowed-out tree.
a crowded, busy place.
something resembling an artificial beehive in appearance, as a hut or hairdo.
Also called beehive oven. an oven for converting coal into coke, characterized by its dome-shaped roof.
a man-made receptacle used to house a swarm of bees
a dome-shaped hair style in which the hair is piled high on the head
a place where busy people are assembled
the dome-shaped building that houses sections of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand
the New Zealand government
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at bee 1, hive
A beehive is a structure — either made by humans or bees — in which bees live and make honey. You might find a beehive in a hollow tree. If you become a beekeeper, you will either build or buy one or more beehives for your bees to live in. You might wear a protective suit, with a hat and netting that covers your face, when you are cleaning or checking on your beehives, to avoid being stung. Around 1960, the word beehive began being used to refer to a remarkable hairstyle, a round, high teased style that requires plenty of hairspray.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Following tea, the president and first lady will give the royal couple a tour of the newly expanded White House Beehive on the South Lawn.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
Entry to the court, which stands opposite New Zealand's main government building, the Beehive, is only permitted if people surrender their cellphones.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
Held at the Beehive in South Central, the event also features a mechanical bull ride, tattoo station, food trucks and bars where you can buy I Love Micheladas’ signature drinks.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024
Aim your binoculars east-northeast at the red planet after 10 p.m. to see the background sparkle of the glittering stars of the Beehive.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024
Along with Beehive, there were four men here now.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
