Honey bee
- Pronunciation
- /HUH-nee bee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Honey bee
- Plural
- Honey bees
Definition
A eusocial flying insect within the genus Apis known for its role in pollination and, in the case of the best-known honey bee species, the European honey bee, for producing honey and beeswax.
Etymology
The term 'honey bee' is derived from Old English 'hunig' meaning 'honey' and 'bēo' meaning 'bee'. The genus name Apis is Latin for 'bee'.
Example
The honey bee is critical for pollinating many of the crops we eat, making it an essential insect for agriculture.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Pollination
- Colony
- Beeswax
- Hive
- Drone
- Worker bee
- Queen bee
Usage Notes
Honey bees are distinguished from other bees primarily by the production and storage of honey, as well as the construction of perennial, colonial nests out of wax.