honeycomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with specialist usage in beekeeping, materials science, and design.
Quick answer
What does “honeycomb” mean?
The wax structure of hexagonal cells built by bees to store honey and rear their young.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The wax structure of hexagonal cells built by bees to store honey and rear their young.
Any similar structure or pattern resembling a honeybee's comb, characterised by a repeating geometric arrangement of cells.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences; spelling is consistent. Pronunciation differences are minor.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of natural order, industriousness, and sweetness.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties; a core, non-regional word.
Grammar
How to Use “honeycomb” in a Sentence
VERB + honeycomb: form, create, build, eat, cut, harvestADJECTIVE + honeycomb: fresh, empty, wax, hexagonal, intricatehoneycomb + VERB: contains, consists of, crumblesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “honeycomb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cliffs were honeycombed with nesting sites for puffins.
- Years of mining had honeycombed the mountain.
American English
- The old fortress walls were honeycombed with secret passages.
- The bureaucracy is honeycombed with outdated regulations.
adjective
British English
- They installed honeycomb blinds to diffuse the sunlight.
- The cake had a lovely honeycomb texture inside.
American English
- The aircraft's floor uses a honeycomb panel for strength.
- She bought a handbag with a honeycomb weave.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically in 'honeycomb structure' for lightweight, strong materials in aerospace or packaging.
Academic
In biology (zoology), materials science (composite materials), and mathematics (tessellation).
Everyday
Referring to the natural product from bees, or to patterns in fabric, tiles, or food (e.g., honeycomb toffee).
Technical
In engineering, 'honeycomb core' for sandwich panels; in geology, 'honeycomb weathering'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “honeycomb”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “honeycomb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “honeycomb”
- Using 'honeycomb' as an uncountable noun when a singular structure is meant (e.g., 'I saw a beautiful honeycomb' not 'I saw beautiful honeycomb').
- Confusing 'honeycomb' (the structure) with 'honey' (the contents).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound word: honeycomb.
Yes, the wax honeycomb containing honey is edible and considered a delicacy.
It refers to a lightweight, rigid panel structure made of a core material shaped into hexagonal cells, sandwiched between two flat sheets.
It is a verb meaning that something is filled with many holes, tunnels, cavities, or interconnecting parts, resembling the structure of a honeycomb.
The wax structure of hexagonal cells built by bees to store honey and rear their young.
Honeycomb is usually neutral, with specialist usage in beekeeping, materials science, and design. in register.
Honeycomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌn.i.kəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌn.i.koʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “honeycomb with something (e.g., 'The old rock was honeycombed with tunnels.') – meaning to fill with many holes or passages.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HONEY + COMB. Bees use a COMB (like for hair) made for storing HONEY.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURAL ORDER IS GEOMETRIC EFFICIENCY (The honeycomb represents perfect, efficient use of space and materials in nature).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'honeycomb' as a noun?