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¹swarm

noun \ˈswȯrm\

: a very large number of insects moving together

Full Definition of SWARM

a : a great number of honeybees emigrating together from a hive in company with a queen to start a new colony elsewhere

b : a colony of honeybees settled in a hive

a : a large number of animate or inanimate things massed together and usually in motion : throng <swarms of sightseers> <a swarm of locusts> <a swarm of meteors>

b : a number of similar geological features or phenomena close together in space or time <a swarm of dikes> <an earthquake swarm>

See swarm defined for English-language learners

See swarm defined for kids

Origin of SWARM

Middle English, from Old English swearm; akin to Old High German swaram swarm and probably to Latin susurrus hum

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SWARM

Synonyms: army, bike [chiefly Scottish], cram, crush, drove, flock, herd, horde, host, legion, mass, mob, multitude, press, rout, scrum, crowd, throng

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

Rhymes with SWARM

corm, dorm, form, norm, storm, warm

²swarm

verb

Definition of SWARM

intransitive verb

: to form and depart from a hive in a swarm

a : to move or assemble in a crowd : throng

b : to hover about in the manner of a bee in a swarm

: to contain a swarm : teem <swarming with bugs>

transitive verb

: to fill with a swarm

: to beset or surround in a swarm <players swarming the quarterback>

— swarm·er noun

First Known Use of SWARM

14th century

³swarm

verb

Definition of SWARM

intransitive verb

: to climb with the hands and feet; specifically : shin <swarm up a pole>

transitive verb

: to climb up : mount

Origin of SWARM

origin unknown

First Known Use: 14th century

SWARM Defined for Kids

¹swarm

noun \ˈswȯrm\

Definition of SWARM for Kids

: a large number of bees that leave a hive together to form a new colony elsewhere

: a large number grouped together and usually in motion <a swarm of mosquitoes> <a swarm of tourists>

²swarm

verb

swarmedswarm·ing

Definition of SWARM for Kids

: to form a swarm and leave the hive <swarming bees>

: to move or gather in a large number <Shoppers swarmed into the stores.>

: to be filled with a great number : teem <“A-a-are there really ghosts in the attic?” … “It's just swarming with all sorts of ghosts …” — Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking>