# hives

/ˈhaɪvz/ (US) · /hˈaɪvz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hives
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. skin rash

noun · CEFR B2

a skin condition where you get itchy, red, swollen bumps, often because of an allergy.

For teachers: a skin condition characterized by itchy, raised, red welts, typically caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicine, or other irritants.

- She broke out in hives after eating a handful of peanuts by mistake.
- The patient presented with acute hives across his torso, which the doctor suspected was a systemic reaction to the new antibiotic.

Usage: Usually used as a plural noun; you 'break out in' or 'have' hives.

### 2. bee homes

noun · CEFR A2

more than one hive, which is a place where bees live and make honey.

For teachers: the plural form of hive, referring to multiple structures or containers where bees are kept.

- The beekeeper checked all ten hives to see how much honey was ready.
- Rows of wooden hives were arranged along the edge of the orchard to ensure the apple trees were properly pollinated.

## Examples

- I broke out in hives after eating those strawberries.
- The doctor confirmed that the itchy red patches on her arms were hives caused by a new laundry detergent.
- While most cases of hives are acute and resolve quickly with antihistamines, chronic cases can persist for weeks and require a thorough investigation into potential autoimmune triggers.

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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.