English Dictionary

Definition of “swarm”

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1swarm1 (swɔːmPronunciation for swarm1) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a group of social insects, esp bees led by a queen, that has left the parent hive in order to start a new colony
  2. a large mass of small animals, esp insects
  3. a throng or mass, esp when moving or in turmoil

verb

  1. (intr) (of small animals, esp bees) to move in or form a swarm
  2. (intr) to congregate, move about or proceed in large numbers
  3.  when intr, often foll by with to overrun or be overrun (with)  ⇒ the house swarmed with rats 
  4. (tr) to cause to swarm

Word Origin

Old English swearm;  related to Old Norse svarmr  uproar, Old High German swaram swarm

2swarm2 (swɔːmPronunciation for swarm2) 

Definitions

verb

  1.  when intr, usually foll by up to climb (a ladder, etc) by gripping with the hands and feet  ⇒ the boys swarmed up the rigging 

Word Origin

C16: of unknown origin

Usage examples

  • Unbalanced, he gave a scream as he fell back, dropping into the fighting swarm below.
    Shah, Idries, Kara Kush (1986)
  • The possible applications of swarm intelligence may be limited only by the imagination.
    Business Today (2001)
  • The Australian Plague Locust Commission estimates a swarm covering just one square kilometre can eat 10 tonnes of crops in a day.
    New Zealand Herald (2004)
  • A deal between London and Berlin would have freed hundreds of thousands of German troops to swarm into Russia.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • The dogs were being attacked by swarm after swarm of their inhabitants.
    Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts, THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

Related Terms

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