humming

[ huhm-ing ]

adjective

1. making a droning sound; buzzing.
2. very busy; briskly active:

   a humming office.

Other Words From

• humming·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of humming¹

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

Example Sentences

With the exhaust humming, the tunes cranked up, and the top tucked down, the 765LT Spider fulfills the track-tuned supercar promise without making you feel like you’re being punished for the indulgence.

From Popular-Science

It’s also quiet, so you won’t be bothered by the constant humming of a machine.

From Popular-Science

Even at its maximum level, I could still hear muffled but very present versions of an AC humming or the traffic noises of a mildly busy New York City street.

From Popular-Science

It starts off like any other Lana tune, replete with minor chords and humming, distorted vocals.

From The Daily Beast

If the recovery gets genuinely humming, we could start seeing months between 300,000 and 400,000 next year.

From The Daily Beast

I hear him humming—a long, flat note, more electric than musical.

From The Daily Beast

He was like some comedic humming bird, flitting from Megan Mullally to Eric McCormack to Debra Messing.

From The Daily Beast

Expect to leave the tribute happily humming the haunting notes of “Alfie” and not minding any raindrops falling on your head.

From The Daily Beast

Many so-called "humming tones" are given for practice, but in accepting them observe whether the foregoing principle is obeyed.

From Project Gutenberg

This may be done by taking the humming tone and bringing to bear upon it a strong pressure of energy.

From Project Gutenberg

The m relates it to the nares or humming tone (which is the basis of all resonance in the voice).

From Project Gutenberg

Like many other Yankee notions, it did not thrive here, and the humming of those bees soon ceased.

From Project Gutenberg

About an hour after resuming their walk, the major went off in hot pursuit of an enormous bee, which he saw humming round a bush.

From Project Gutenberg