hummingbird

noun

hum·​ming·​bird ˈhə-miŋ-ˌbərd How to pronounce hummingbird (audio)
: 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

Illustration of hummingbird

Illustration of hummingbird

Examples of hummingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Weigelas produce a flush of showy, tubular blooms in spring that attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026 Wash the hummingbird feeder frequently, fill it carefully to avoid spills, and keep it in good repair. Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026 The queen consort is a noted fan of the collection, wearing not only the dog pin but also the dove, hummingbird, hedgehog, rabbit, squirrel, and owl pins since 2020 (per The Court Jeweller). Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026 With almost 13 million acres of the world’s most biodiverse rain forest, rich with jaguars, hummingbirds, and 2,000 butterfly species (take that, Costa Rica), plus some 1,800 miles of unsullied coastline, this country is poised for a tourism boom. John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hummingbird

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hummingbird was in 1637

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Cite this Entry

“Hummingbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hummingbird. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

hummingbird

noun
hum·​ming·​bird ˈhəm-iŋ-ˌbərd How to pronounce hummingbird (audio)
: 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

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