noun
drone
A male bee that does not perform the workers' tasks.
A drone leaves the hive to mate with a queen.
Etymology
The Old English word already named the male bee. The selected biological sense preserves that inherited animal name.
More examples
- Unlike worker bees, drones do not gather nectar.
- The beekeeper identifies the drone by its large eyes.
- She calls him a drone because he leaves every task to others.
Forms
drone · drones
Similar words
- bee
- Bee includes both sexes; drone refers only to a male.