swarm

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /swɔrm/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /swɔːm/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular swarm

Plural swarms

1. A swarm is a group of many insects, especially flying insects like bees, wasps or flies.

   He walked on a wasp nest and was attacked by the swarm.

2. Less commonly, a swarm can also be a group of fish or birds.

   When attacked, sardinas group into compact swarms to protect themselves.

3. A crowd of people or animals moving in a chaotic way.
4. (metaphorical) A large collection of similar objects.

   By observing the sky with telescopes, astronomers can see swarms of stars.

Verb

Plain form swarm

Third-person singular swarms

Past tense swarmed

Past participle swarmed

Present participle swarming

1. (intransitive) To move as a swarm.

   I felt disgusted when I saw all these flies swarming on this dead body.

2. (intransitive) When there are to many insects in a place.

   Fire ants swarm in the Southern United States since man accidentally brought some with him by ship.

3. (transitive) To fill a place as a swarm.

   Ants are swarming the kitchen since we let food accessible.

4. (transitive); (military) To overcome an enemy with number.