Definition of "hum"

hum

/ˈhʌm/

noun
plural hums
1. A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
2. An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.
  Quotations
  the shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
  c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii]
3. Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.
4. (UK, slang) Unpleasant odour.
5. (dated) An imposition or hoax; humbug.
6. (obsolete) A kind of strong drink.
  Quotations
  you do provide me hum enough , And lour to bouse with
  c. 1622, John Fletcher, Philip Massinger [et al.?], “Beggars Bvsh”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)
7. (with article) A phenomenon, or collection of phenomena, involving widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people.
  Quotations
  There is a range of theories from farm or factory machinery to conspiracy theories such as flying saucers. And yet, "the hum" remains an unsolved case.
  2011 June 13, “Who, What, Why: Why is 'the hum' such a mystery?”, in BBC News‎
verb
third-person singular simple present hums, present participle humming, simple past and past participle hummed
1. (intransitive) To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.
2. (transitive) To express by humming.
3. (intransitive) To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly
  Quotations
  A slight gloom fell upon the table. Jacob was helping himself to jam; the postman was talking to Rebecca in the kitchen; there was a bee humming at the yellow flower which nodded at the open window.
  1922 October 26, Virginia Woolf, chapter 2, in Jacob’s Room, Richmond, London: […] Leonard & Virginia Woolf at the Hogarth Press; republished London: The Hogarth Press, 1960,
4. (intransitive) To buzz, be busily active like a beehive
5. (intransitive) To produce low sounds which blend continuously
6. (Britain, slang) To reek, smell bad.
7. (transitive, UK, dated, slang) To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.
interjection
1. Synonym of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.
  Quotations
  “'Hum!' said he. 'A fifth share! That is not very tempting.'“'It would come to fifty thousand apiece,' said I.
  1890, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The Sign of the Four, London: Spencer Blackett
2. Synonym of um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.
  Quotations
  Ah, now, this is why we must proceed with great circumspection. They were both, hum, “put out” themselves.
  1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, London: Heinemann, page 27

Definition of "hum"

hum

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verb

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interjection

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