humming

American  

[huhm-ing] / ˈhʌm ɪŋ /

adjective

1. making a droning sound; buzzing.

2. very busy; briskly active.

   a humming office.

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Other Word Forms

• hummingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of humming

First recorded in 1570–80; hum + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Humming, I am told, can help stimulate our vagus nerve and slow down our heart rate.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

Humming along under the surface are smaller signs of community breakdown, like when Lorraine’s father, Sam, rolls out a brand new TV set while the family eats dinner, thus curtailing chit-chat forever.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Humming beneath the fantastical, scientific and mystical imaginings of this book are quiet and tender stories of love, family and belonging.

From Scientific American • Dec. 31, 2021

Humming to West Side Story, he called out, “Anybody have laundry they want in?”

From Washington Times • May 9, 2020

Humming a tune beneath his breath, he strode out with a will, almost breaking from the cover of the trees straight out into the flat meadowland.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques