beehive
noun
a habitation or dwelling-place constructed for bees, usually either dome-shaped or box-shaped.
beehive
American
[bee-hahyv]
/ ˈbiˌhaɪv /
noun
-
beehives
plural
-
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.
beehive
1
British
/ ˈbiːˌhaɪv /
noun
-
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
Beehive
2
British
/ ˈbiːˌhaɪv /
noun
-
the dome-shaped building that houses sections of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand
-
the New Zealand government
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of beehive
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at bee 1, hive
Explanation
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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The house has a defective chimney, a historic beehive oven and even a hidden chamber decorated with hieroglyphs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
Behind the apostles, in a beehive of sociable activity, wingless angels busy themselves with rituals—tending to oil lamps, burning cypress branches, playing musical instruments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
As it turned out, the beehive ban was not common knowledge, even to the beekeepers association, said its president, Cheryl Koeller, in an email.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025
This batting beehive shows how straight England bowled to Shubman Gill.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2025
Fifteen minutes was enough dme for the day’s dirt to fall to the bottom of the tub, while Vonetta and Fern styled bubble beehive hairdos on their heads and beards on each other.
From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia
When he recently went to his local pub, the Beehive, Hall said, he no longer recognized most of the patrons.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
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
In velvet they have the feeling of a Beehive, covered with feathers of a mod 1960s brushed do.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2024
With Beehive taking Rachel’s hand, the four men all dropped onto the throw pillows.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Most of the damage was to wine grapes, but some damage to beehives was also reported.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026
Its trunk is jammed with short sticks, forming a makeshift ladder that she still climbs each summer to raid beehives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
The first day of the trip featured a more informal welcome, with the Trumps treating Charles and Camilla to tea and cakes in the White House before showing them beehives on the famed lawn.
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
But when she arrives at Iona’s apartment, Andie is shocked to see that a coiffed perm, light makeup, a sensible suit and a string of pearls have replaced her friend’s beehives and gelled spikes.
From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026
Driving back into remote corners of the woods where there were barely roads, we would come upon twenty-five beehives up on slats like a little lost city tucked back in there.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
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