honeycomb
/ˈhʌniːkəʊm/ · hon·ey·comb
noun
- A structure of hexagonal cells made by bees primarily of wax, to hold their larvae and for storing the honey to feed the larvae and to feed themselves during winter. The beekeeper carefully extracted the honey from the honeycomb without damaging the delicate structure.
- Any structure resembling a honeycomb. The wood porch was a honeycomb of termite tunnels before we replaced it.
- Voids left in concrete resulting from failure of the mortar to effectively fill the spaces among coarse aggregate particles. The engineer identified honeycomb in the concrete foundation, which needed to be repaired to ensure the building's stability.
verb
- To riddle something with holes, especially in such a pattern. Termites will honeycomb a porch made of untreated pine, causing significant damage over time.
Synonyms
Did you know? The unique hexagonal structure of a honeycomb is a remarkable example of natural engineering, with the bees constructing it using wax produced from their own bodies. This structure has inspired human innovations in fields such as architecture and materials science.