How do you use the word "swarm" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "swarm": A swarm of mosquitoes followed him. A swarm of bees attacked us without mercy.

Swarm Meaning

/swɔɹm/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA large number of insects, especially when in motion or (for bees) migrating to a new colony.

nounA mass of people, animals or things in motion or turmoil.

Sentence Examples

A swarm of mosquitoes followed him.

A swarm of bees attacked us without mercy.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

pour cloud drove

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

Suddenly, a huge ____ of angry bees flew out of the broken hive and surrounded the man.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

A huge ____ of bees was flying around the tall tree in the middle of our garden this afternoon today.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English swarm, from Old English swearm (“swarm, multitude”), from Proto-West Germanic *swarm, from Proto-Germanic *swarmaz (“swarm, dizziness”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to buzz, hum”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Swoorm (“swarm”), Dutch zwerm, German Schwarm, Danish sværm, Swedish svärm, Icelandic svarmur (“tumult, swarm”), Latin susurrus (“whispering, humming”), Lithuanian surma (“a pipe”), Russian свире́ль (svirélʹ, “a pipe, reed”). The verb is from Middle English swarmen, swermen, from Old English swirman (“to swarm”), from Proto-West Germanic *swarmijan, from Proto-Germanic *swarmijaną (“to swarm”), from the noun. Cognate with Scots swairm, swerm (“to swarm”), Dutch zwermen, German schwärmen, Danish sværme, Swedish svärma.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"[…] reſtleſs thoughts, that like a deadly ſwarm / Of Hornets arm'd […] ruſh upon me thronging," — 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 10, lines 19–21:

"those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it [Italy]" — 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:

"Earthquakes were another concern, particularly after swarms were felt in Oklahoma." — 2020, Daniel Yergin, The New Map, Penguin, published 2021, page 28:

"There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy. Mail bags, so I understand, are being put on board. Stewards, carrying cabin trunks, swarm in the corridors." — 1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:

"When I was there, at about 0200 this morning [15 May], hundreds of students had swarmed up the steps of the Great Hall and sat there making political speeches. Troops were moved in, 100 or so filed out of the hall and drove the students back, but they were extremely gentle, saying xiexie, xiexie, thank you, thank you, and the relations seemed to be extremely good; I don't think that there is anything the authorities can do now to get them off even though they have said the square will be closed to pedestrians." — 1989 May 15 [1989 May 14], Tim Luard, quotee, “Split Between Students Reported”, in Daily Report: China, number 092, Foreign Broadcast Information Service, sourced from Hong Kong Domestic Service, From the "Hong Kong Today" Program—live telephone interview by anchorman Nick Bailey with Beijing correspondent Tim Luard, →ISSN, →OCLC, National Affairs, page 43, column 2:

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