honeycomb

[huhn-ee-kohm]

noun

1. a structure of rows of hexagonal wax cells, formed by bees in their hive for the storage of honey, pollen, and their eggs.

2. a piece of this containing honey and chewed as a sweet.

3. anything whose appearance suggests such a structure, especially in containing many small units or holes.

   The building was a honeycomb of offices and showrooms.

4. the reticulum of a ruminant.

5. Textiles.

   1. Also called waffle cloth. a fabric with an embossed surface woven in a pattern resembling a honeycomb.

   2. the characteristic weave of such a fabric.

adjective

1. having the structure or appearance of a honeycomb.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to be full of holes; pierce with many holes or cavities.

   an old log honeycombed with ant burrows.

2. to penetrate in all parts.

   a city honeycombed with vice.

honeycomb

/ ˈhʌnɪˌkəʊm /

noun

1. a waxy structure, constructed by bees in a hive, that consists of adjacent hexagonal cells in which honey is stored, eggs are laid, and larvae develop

2. something resembling this in structure or appearance

3. zoology another name for reticulum

verb

1. to pierce or fill with holes, cavities, etc

2. to permeate

   honeycombed with spies

Word History and Origins

Origin of honeycomb¹

before 1050; Middle English huny-comb, Old English hunigcamb. See honey, comb

Example Sentences

The herbs themselves are stored in what looks like a relic from a university office: a honeycomb of wooden cubbies, each one just big enough to hold about a dozen packets.

From Salon

Their vegan honeycomb soft serve is so good.

From Los Angeles Times

Even when cooked or sautéed for slightly longer periods of time, morels will hold their shape and maintain their honeycomb structure.

From Salon

Mineral extraction in this region is not in the hands of multinational conglomerates - instead thousands of individuals toil in open pits that honeycomb the landscape, or underground, in extremely unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

From BBC

The lower level has honeycomb cells, where air absorbs the shock of your foot landing, then pushes out, feeding the energy back as your foot takes off.

From BBC

Related Words

• corrupt 
• infest 
• mar 
• pepper 
• pervade 
• puncture