beehive
noun (countable)
UK/ˈbiː.haɪv/US/ˈbiː.haɪv/
A structure in which a colony of bees is kept, traditionally shaped like a dome or box, used by beekeepers or occurring naturally as a nest.
Example Sentences
The beekeeper carefully inspected each beehive to ensure the bees were healthy and productive.
A traditional straw beehive is often depicted in old illustrations of rural life.
We found a wild beehive in the hollow of the old oak tree by the river.
When maintaining a beehive, protective clothing and proper equipment are essential.
Scientists study bees in specially designed observation beehives to learn more about their social behavior.
Some people cultivate an urban beehive on their rooftop, contributing to local pollination efforts and sustainability.
Seeing the beehive hanging from the thick tree branch both fascinated and frightened the children, as they had never seen one so close before.
During peak honey production, the beekeeper added extra frames to the beehive, ensuring the bees had ample space to store nectar and raise their brood in a healthy environment.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
An enclosure for a bee colony, offering shelter, honey production, and pollination roles.“Beehive” is primarily a noun describing an enclosed structure (natural or man-made) where bees live and produce honey. In modern beekeeping, a typical beehive consists of boxes, frames, and spaces optimized for colony health and honey collection. Whether you mention “a wild beehive” in a hollow tree or “a managed hive” on a bee farm, the sense of a living, industrious colony is at the forefront. When using “beehive” in conversation or writing, context often points to the idea of managing bee colonies for honey and other by-products like beeswax or propolis. You could also reference wild colonies forming nests in crevices or trees; in either case, “beehive” highlights the bees’ collaborative structure and their intricate social behavior. In everyday speech, you might say, “He tends to his beehives every morning,” indicating both the physical structure and the ongoing maintenance of a colony. Metaphorically, “beehive” can symbolize industriousness and community synergy, as bees organize themselves efficiently to protect their queen and gather nectar for honey. You might hear phrases like, “The office was a beehive of activity,” implying a bustling, productive environment. In environmental or ecological contexts, describing a beehive could underscore the importance of pollinators and the benefits of preserving local bee populations—helping sustain biodiversity and food supplies. If you’re outlining a beekeeping process, “beehive” often appears alongside discussions of hive placement, protective gear, and seasonal hive inspections. Ultimately, “beehive” is more than just a structure: it connotes living harmony among bees, the honey they provide, and the broader ecosystem they nurture.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid repeating “beehive” or need related terms, consider “hive,” which is the simpler form referring to a bee colony’s dwelling—though it doesn’t always capture the man-made aspect. You might specify “apiary” if talking about multiple beehives together in one location or “bee colony” to emphasize the social unit of bees themselves, rather than the structure. If referencing wild formations, “nest” can indicate a naturally built bee home; however, this sometimes applies to wasps or hornets, so context is key.Where you seek a more general or figurative usage, you could say “buzzing hub” to describe a busy place reminiscent of a beehive’s energy, though it lacks the formal specificity. Meanwhile, specialized references like “Langstroth hive,” “top-bar hive,” or “Warre hive” name distinctive beekeeping designs, clarifying exactly how the structure is built. Choosing among these synonyms reflects the depth of detail and nuance you want—be it a simple mention of a single hive, a bustling group of them (an apiary), or a direct focus on the bees’ communal dynamic. In each instance, clarifying whether you’re describing a constructed enclosure, a wild arrangement, or the bees’ social system helps your readers differentiate which aspect of hive life you’re emphasizing.
Writing
When writing about a “beehive,” you can enrich your text by tying together the scientific, practical, and symbolic angles. First, give readers a sense of a hive’s construction—wooden boxes with removable frames in a typical beekeeping setup, or natural cavities in tree hollows for wild hives. Delving into the workings of a hive—where worker bees, drones, and a queen interact—helps illustrate the social intricacies. If you’re producing a research paper or article, be sure to note how hive design can influence honey yield, colony health, or pest control measures.In narrative or creative nonfiction, describing a beehive can add vivid texture: the humming buzz, the sweet tang of honey, the swirl of bees ferrying pollen. You might also highlight the hive’s vulnerability—threats like colony collapse disorder—underscoring your environmental or storytelling theme. When writing instructional pieces for beginner beekeepers, walk them through essential hive maintenance: checking for queen health, rotating frames to prevent overcrowding, and controlling varroa mites or other parasites. For more symbolic or literary purposes, a beehive can serve as a metaphor for unity, tireless work, or natural harmony, seamlessly weaving into broader themes about human communities or ecological webs. Whether your goal is to educate, describe, or reflect, referencing a beehive can offer lively imagery and set the stage for discussions about pollination, nature’s resilience, or humanity’s reliance on these tireless pollinators.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversations, “beehive” typically pops up when talking about bees, honey, or backyard beekeeping. If a friend is sharing a new hobby, you might hear, “I set up my first beehive in the garden this spring.” Or, during a picnic, someone might say, “We spotted a beehive in that old tree; better not get too close!” In neighborhoods where local honey is prized, neighbors might ask, “Do you know which house has the beehive with fresh honey for sale?”You can also drop “beehive” figuratively in casual contexts, comparing a lively place to a hive of activity—“The office is a real beehive before deadlines.” This draws on the mental image of bees busily zipping in and out. If you keep it literal, “beehive” can be a conversation starter about sustainable living, how homemade hives help pollinate local plants, or ways to handle accidental encounters with stinging insects. People might joke about old-fashioned “beehive hairstyles” from retro fashion, showing a playful side to the term. In general, you’ll rarely need a deep explanation—most folks know “beehive” as the quintessential bee home—so it fits easily into everyday remarks about honey, gardening, or interesting wildlife sightings.
Etymology
“Beehive” stems from Old English roots, combining “bee” (from Old English “bēo,” meaning the winged pollinator) with “hive,” which originally referred to a container or structure. Early hives were simplistic: woven skeps, log sections, or clay pots, each giving bees a sheltered spot to build comb. In many ancient societies, from Egypt to Greece, humans realized bees provided both honey and beeswax—vital for food, trade, and candles—leading to countless hive variations across cultures.Over time, the word “beehive” took hold as man-made designs became standard, especially after Langstroth’s movable-frame hive was introduced in the mid-19th century, revolutionizing beekeeping. This innovation provided beekeepers with easier hive inspections and higher honey yields without damaging the colony. Symbolically, beehives show up throughout history, representing industriousness, unity, and prosperity—seen in emblems for organizations and states (e.g., Utah’s state emblem) or used metaphorically in literature. Today, with rising awareness of pollinator declines, “beehive” stands at the heart of many conservation efforts, echoing an ancient tradition: humans carefully housing and nurturing bees in exchange for sweet, life-sustaining honey and the pollination that underpins our food web.
