hornet

[ hawr-nit ]

noun

1. any large, stinging paper wasp of the family Vespidae, as Vespa crabro giant hornet, introduced into the U.S. from Europe, or Vespula maculata bald-faced hornet, or white-faced hornet, of North America.

hornet

/ ˈhɔːnɪt /

noun

1. any of various large social wasps of the family Vespidae, esp Vespa crabro of Europe, that can inflict a severe sting
2. hornet's nest
   a strongly unfavourable reaction (often in the phrase stir up a hornet's nest )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornet¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English harnete, Old English hyrnet(u); cognate with Old High German hornaz (becoming German Horniss ); akin to horn

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornet¹

Old English hyrnetu; related to Old Saxon hornut, Old High German hornuz

Idioms and Phrases

see mad as a hornet ; stir up a hornet's nest .

Example Sentences

Anyone spotting an Asian Hornet is asked to take a photo and report it on the Asian Hornet Watch app.

From BBC

Bee inspectors in the South East are battling to destroy Asian hornet nests before new queens hatch later this month.

From BBC

“Do we really want to rattle the hornet’s nest?” if Trump wins, asked Regent José Hernández.

From Los Angeles Times

Hornet, that is moored in the city.

From New York Times

A single hornet nest can produce 350 queens.

From BBC

Related Words

• ant
• aphid
• bee
• beetle
• butterfly
• cockroach
• dragonfly
• flea
• fruit fly
• gnat
• grasshopper
• ladybug
• mite
• mosquito
• moth
• pest
• spider
• termite
• tick