stingless bee

noun

1. any of certain social, honey-producing tropical bees of the family Apidae, as of the genus Melipona, having a nonfunctional stinger.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stingless bee¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Central and South America are home to all three types of these stingless bees.

From Science News For Students

There is a small stingless bee here, which old man Jim called the sweat bee.

From Project Gutenberg

The Italian stingless bee has very lately been introduced into the United States.

From Project Gutenberg