mason bee

noun

1. any of numerous solitary bees, as of the family Megachilidae, that construct nests of clay.

mason bee

noun

1. any bee of the family Megachilidae that builds a hard domelike nest of sand, clay, etc, held together with saliva

Word History and Origins

Origin of mason bee¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

The male of the chalicodome or mason-bee is russet, the far more beautiful female is a fine velvety black with deep violet wings.

From Project Gutenberg

I have described her as a waster of food when her larva is established, according to custom, in the cell of the Mason-bee.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Mason-Bee fills these cells with honey, lays an egg in the honey, and when the babies come along—don't you see?

From Project Gutenberg

Well, to make a long story short, these pebbles had on them the little clay cells of the mason-bee.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Mason-Bee takes those extra trips because a roadway is so much harder to dig in!

From Project Gutenberg