Words / B2

HYV/haɪv/

A hive is a structure in which bees live; a hive of activity is a very busy place: a beehive; hive off (separate part of a firm). Colony and apiary are related; nest is broader. Count the hives in the pollination case if the n is given. Mix-up: have; dive. Do not write hive for a wasp nest unless the source says bees.

Meaning

A structure in which bees live; a hive of activity is a very busy place.

Examples

• “Count the hives in the pollination case if the n is given, not a “busy office” slogan.”
• “The newsroom was a hive of activity, which is the figurative-busy sense.”

Good to know

a hive; a beehive; a hive of activity; hive off. Related: colony / apiary. Trap: have. Biology, geography, and news. A bee home, or a very busy place — specify.

Near in meaning

colony, apiary

New