apiary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “apiary” mean?
A place where beehives are kept for honey production or pollination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where beehives are kept for honey production or pollination.
An establishment, often managed commercially or by a hobbyist, dedicated to housing colonies of bees. Can sometimes be used metaphorically to refer to a place of concentrated activity or productivity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or spelling.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be associated with small-scale or hobbyist beekeeping in the UK, while in the US it can also refer to large commercial operations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “apiary” in a Sentence
The apiary is located [prepositional phrase]to keep/maintain/run an apiaryan apiary of [number] hivesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apiary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The apiary management course starts in spring.
- We followed strict apiary hygiene protocols.
American English
- She bought new apiary equipment online.
- The state has specific apiary inspection laws.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In agricultural business plans or reports on pollination services.
Academic
In environmental science, agriculture, or biology texts discussing apiculture.
Everyday
Rare. Used by beekeeping enthusiasts or in local news about beekeeping.
Technical
Standard term in apiculture manuals, regulations, and beekeeping courses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apiary”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apiary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apiary”
- Using 'apiary' to refer to a single beehive (it's the collection/location).
- Mispronouncing it as /əˈpaɪəri/ instead of /ˈeɪpiəri/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A beehive is the individual structure where a bee colony lives. An apiary is the location where multiple beehives are kept.
No, 'apiary' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to keep bees' or 'to practice apiculture'.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term familiar mainly to those involved in or interested in beekeeping.
An apiarist or a beekeeper.
A place where beehives are kept for honey production or pollination.
Apiary is usually technical, formal, literary in register.
Apiary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeɪ.pi.ə.ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈeɪ.piˌer.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to 'apiary'; it may appear in descriptive contexts like 'a hive of activity' but 'apiary' itself is not idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "APIARY is where the APIs (bees) live." Remember 'api-' relates to bees (from Latin 'apis'), and '-ary' indicates a place (like 'library').
Conceptual Metaphor
An apiary can be a metaphor for a place of organised, productive industry ("The trading floor was an apiary of frantic activity").
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an apiary?