stingless bee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Technical / Scientific / Formal / Naturalist
Quick answer
What does “stingless bee” mean?
A type of bee from the family Apidae, subfamily Meliponini or Apinae (tribe Meliponini), that lacks a functional sting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of bee from the family Apidae, subfamily Meliponini or Apinae (tribe Meliponini), that lacks a functional sting.
Any of numerous tropical and subtropical social bees known for their inability to sting humans effectively. They are important pollinators and some species are kept for honey production. Culturally, they may symbolise harmless productivity or non-aggressive cooperation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms follows regional conventions (e.g., 'behaviour' vs. 'behavior').
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries neutral scientific connotations. In gardening/beekeeping communities, it may have positive connotations of safety and manageability.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in regions where these bees are native (e.g., Australia, Central/South America) regardless of English variety.
Grammar
How to Use “stingless bee” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] stingless bee [VERBs] [OBJ].Stingless bees are [ADJ] for [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stingless bee” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The stingless-bee colony was thriving in the conservatory.
- They conducted a stingless-bee survey.
American English
- We visited a stingless-bee research facility.
- He specializes in stingless-bee ecology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potential in contexts of sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, or niche honey marketing: 'The startup focuses on honey from native stingless bees.'
Academic
Common in biology, entomology, ecology, and agricultural science texts: 'Stingless bee foraging behaviour is influenced by pheromone trails.'
Everyday
Rare unless discussing specific wildlife, beekeeping, or travel experiences: 'We saw stingless bees in the Amazon rainforest.'
Technical
Standard term in apidology. Used in species descriptions, conservation studies, and pollination research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stingless bee”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stingless bee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stingless bee”
- Pronouncing it as 'sting-less' with a full second syllable in 'less'. It's /ləs/.
- Using it as a general term for any bee that isn't currently stinging.
- Capitalising it as a proper name (unless starting a sentence).
- Misspelling as 'stingless be' or 'stingless bea'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many species can bite with their mandibles or defend themselves with resin or chemical secretions, but they cannot inject venom via a sting.
Yes, it is often more liquid, has a higher water content, and a distinctive sour or fruity taste compared to traditional honeybee honey.
They are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
They are vital native pollinators for many wild plants and crops, contributing significantly to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
A type of bee from the family Apidae, subfamily Meliponini or Apinae (tribe Meliponini), that lacks a functional sting.
Stingless bee is usually technical / scientific / formal / naturalist in register.
Stingless bee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋləs ˈbiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋləs ˈbi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bee with its stinger missing, labelled 'less'. 'Sting-LESS Bee' = a bee with LESS sting.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STINGLESS BEE IS A HARMLESS WORKER. Used to describe a person or system that is productive without being aggressive or causing harm.
Practice
Quiz
Stingless bees belong primarily to which tribe?