honeycomb

[huhn-ee-kohm]

noun

1. a structure of rows of hexagonal wax cells, formed by bees in their hive for the storage of honey, pollen, and their eggs.

2. a piece of this containing honey and chewed as a sweet.

3. anything whose appearance suggests such a structure, especially in containing many small units or holes.

   The building was a honeycomb of offices and showrooms.

4. the reticulum of a ruminant.

5. Textiles.

   1. Also called waffle cloth. a fabric with an embossed surface woven in a pattern resembling a honeycomb.

   2. the characteristic weave of such a fabric.

adjective

1. having the structure or appearance of a honeycomb.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to be full of holes; pierce with many holes or cavities.

   an old log honeycombed with ant burrows.

2. to penetrate in all parts.

   a city honeycombed with vice.

honeycomb

/ ˈhʌnɪˌkəʊm /

noun

1. a waxy structure, constructed by bees in a hive, that consists of adjacent hexagonal cells in which honey is stored, eggs are laid, and larvae develop

2. something resembling this in structure or appearance

3. zoology another name for reticulum

verb

1. to pierce or fill with holes, cavities, etc

2. to permeate

   honeycombed with spies

Word History and Origins

Origin of honeycomb¹

before 1050; Middle English huny-comb, Old English hunigcamb. See honey, comb

Example Sentences

In Australia, First Graphene says it has found a way to slow the spread of fire in plastics by adding graphene – tiny flakes of carbon atoms arranged in honeycomb lattices.

Read more on BBC

The reef cubes have been designed with a chamber in the middle and a honeycomb texture on the outside to encourage marine life to use them.

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The herbs themselves are stored in what looks like a relic from a university office: a honeycomb of wooden cubbies, each one just big enough to hold about a dozen packets.

Read more on Salon

Their vegan honeycomb soft serve is so good.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even when cooked or sautéed for slightly longer periods of time, morels will hold their shape and maintain their honeycomb structure.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• corrupt 
• infest 
• mar 
• pepper 
• pervade 
• puncture