hornet
noun
hor·net ˈhȯr-nət 
plural hornets
: any of the larger vespid wasps (genus Vespa) that usually build large papery nests in shrubs and trees see also asian giant hornet, asian hornet, european hornet compare bald-faced hornet
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 hornet traps were set in Whatcom County, where the murder hornets were confirmed. 
Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2022 The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), also known as murder hornets, can brutally attack and wipe out entire honeybee colonies in hours. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Nov. 2021 Fatal bee stings are relatively rare, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that an average of 62 people died from hornet, wasp and bee stings each year between 2000–2017. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 12 Aug. 2021 From 2000–2017, a total of 1,109 died from hornet, wasp and bee stings, for an annual average of 62 deaths, the CDC said in 2019. CBS News, 30 July 2021 The 2-inch-long invasive insects pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. Nicholas K. Geranios, chicagotribune.com, 27 Aug. 2021 The 2-inch-long (5-centimeter-long) invasive insects pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. Nicholas K. Geranios, Chron, 26 Aug. 2021 The 2-inch-long invasive insects, first found near the U.S.-Canadian border in December 2019, are native to Asia and pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2021 In a quest to wipe out the 'murder hornet,' scientists will set 1,000 traps in Washington state. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 25 May 2022 See More
Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2022 The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), also known as murder hornets, can brutally attack and wipe out entire honeybee colonies in hours. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Nov. 2021 Fatal bee stings are relatively rare, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that an average of 62 people died from hornet, wasp and bee stings each year between 2000–2017. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 12 Aug. 2021 From 2000–2017, a total of 1,109 died from hornet, wasp and bee stings, for an annual average of 62 deaths, the CDC said in 2019. CBS News, 30 July 2021 The 2-inch-long invasive insects pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. Nicholas K. Geranios, chicagotribune.com, 27 Aug. 2021 The 2-inch-long (5-centimeter-long) invasive insects pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. Nicholas K. Geranios, Chron, 26 Aug. 2021 The 2-inch-long invasive insects, first found near the U.S.-Canadian border in December 2019, are native to Asia and pose a threat to honeybees and native hornet species. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2021 In a quest to wipe out the 'murder hornet,' scientists will set 1,000 traps in Washington state. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 25 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnet; akin to Old High German hornaz hornet, Latin crabro
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing hornet
Kids Definition
hornet
noun
hor·net ˈhȯr-nət
: a large wasp that can give a severe sting
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