Illustration of hummingbird
hummingbird
noun
hum·ming·bird
ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd 
: any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usually hover rather than perch when feeding
Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other mammals, including elephants and tree shrews, and some birds, such as Cedar Waxwings and hummingbirds, eat fermented fruit and nectar, which contain ethanol.
—
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
Backyard feeders and native plants provide vital support, helping hummingbirds complete their long journeys safely.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Fall is nearly here in Michigan and hummingbirds are already making their trek southward for winter.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Since wasps like sugary foods, move hummingbird feeders away from home entrances, patios, and other areas where wasps could pose a threat.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hummingbird
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
Backyard feeders and native plants provide vital support, helping hummingbirds complete their long journeys safely.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Fall is nearly here in Michigan and hummingbirds are already making their trek southward for winter.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Since wasps like sugary foods, move hummingbird feeders away from home entrances, patios, and other areas where wasps could pose a threat.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hummingbird
Cite this Entry
“Hummingbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hummingbird. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hummingbird
noun
hum·ming·bird
ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd
: any of numerous tiny brightly colored American birds related to the swifts and having narrow swiftly beating wings, a slender bill, and a long tongue for sipping nectar
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share