# bee

/ˈbi/ (US) · /bˈiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bee
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the insect

noun · CEFR A2

a flying insect with a hairy body that collects pollen and sometimes makes honey.

For teachers: a winged, pollen-collecting insect of the clade Anthophila, often characterized by its social structure and honey production.

- A large bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
- The decline of the local bee population has significant implications for the pollination of commercial fruit orchards in the valley.

### 2. a social gathering

noun · CEFR B2

a meeting where people work together on a project, like sewing or cleaning.

For teachers: a communal gathering of neighbors or friends to accomplish a specific task or share labor.

- The neighbors organized a cleaning bee to tidy up the local park.
- Historically, a quilting bee served as both a productive labor session and a vital social outlet for women in rural communities.

### 3. a competition

noun · CEFR B1

a competition where people try to do something better than others, especially spelling.

For teachers: a competitive event, most commonly used in the compound 'spelling bee', where participants are eliminated for errors.

- She studied every night to prepare for the school spelling bee.
- The national spelling bee attracts the most talented young linguists from across the country to compete for the championship title.

### 4. nautical part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

pieces of wood on a ship's bowsprit used to guide ropes.

For teachers: hardwood blocks bolted to the sides of a bowsprit, through which the fore-topmast stays are reeved.

- The sailor checked the bee on the bowsprit for signs of rot.
- The shipwright carefully aligned the bees to ensure the stays would not chafe against the timber during heavy weather.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'bees'.

## Examples

- A bee is flying around the flowers in the garden.
- The gardener planted lavender specifically to attract every local bee and butterfly to the yard.
- Ecologists warn that the decline of the honey bee could have catastrophic effects on global food security due to the essential role these insects play in crop pollination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.