plural hornets
: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also european hornet, northern giant hornet, yellow-legged hornet compare bald-faced hornet
Examples of hornet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In August 2019, the hornets were detected in North America in British Columbia, Canada.
—
Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
None of the hornets have been detected since then, per the department.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Researchers believe the hornets have a nest that dates back at least a year.
—Randi Richardson, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Officials said the first hornet to reach North America likely stowed away in a shipping container or plant pots.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
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Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
None of the hornets have been detected since then, per the department.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Researchers believe the hornets have a nest that dates back at least a year.
—Randi Richardson, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Officials said the first hornet to reach North America likely stowed away in a shipping container or plant pots.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hornet
Dictionary Entries Near hornet
Cite this Entry
“Hornet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hornet. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hornet
noun
hor·net
ˈhȯr-nət 
: any of the larger wasps that live in colonies
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