English · Word Candidate

hive

/haɪv/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: hives · hiving · hived

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A structure, whether artificial or natural, for housing a swarm of honeybees.

Noun

Examples

First, for thy Bees a quiet Station find, / And lodge 'em under Covert of the Wind: / For Winds, when homeward they return, will drive / The loaded Carriers from their Ev'ning Hive.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The bees of one hive; a swarm of bees.

Noun

Examples

When that the general is not like the hive, to whom the foragers shall all repair, what honey is expected?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To collect (bees) into a hive.

Verb

Examples

to hive a swarm of bees

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To store (something other than bees) in, or as if in, a hive.

Verb

Examples

Hiving wisdom with each studious year.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hive” mean?

A structure, whether artificial or natural, for housing a swarm of honeybees.

Is “hive” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.