swarm

Everyday

1. A swarm is a big group of insects, such as bees, wasps or locusts, flying together. tree →
2. A swarm of people is a large crowd moving together. tree →
3. To swarm is to move in a large, busy group: bees swarmed around the hive. tree →
4. A place swarming with something is full of it: the beach was swarming with tourists. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, bees swarm when a new queen leaves with part of the colony; locust swarms eat crops. In safety lessons, keep still and walk away from a swarm of bees or wasps. In stories, crowds swarm into a place. Phrases: a swarm of bees, swarm around, swarming with.

Examples

• A swarm of bees flew out of the tree. tree →
• Locust swarms can eat a whole field of crops. tree →
• Fans swarmed onto the pitch after the match. tree →
• The park was swarming with children. tree →
• If you see a swarm of wasps, walk away calmly. tree →
• Flies swarmed around the bin. tree →
• A swarm can hold thousands of bees. tree →
• A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. tree →

Note

«A swarm of bees» takes a singular or plural verb: «a swarm of bees was/were buzzing». «Swarm with» means «be full of». Similar group words: a flock of birds, a herd of cows, a school of fish, a swarm of insects.

In Jewish tradition

"Swarming things" is a Torah term for small creatures that crawl or fly in crowds. Such creatures are often listed as unclean and forbidden as food.

Interpretation. The laws of clean and unclean animals are seen as a way of teaching holiness and self-control. The blessing to "swarm in the earth" is read as the command to fill the world with life.

Examples

• And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; swarm in the earth, and multiply therein.' (Torah GEN.9.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all winged swarming things are unclean unto you; they shall not be eaten. (Torah DEU.14.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• All winged swarming things that go upon all fours are a detestable thing unto you. (Torah LEV.11.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Their land swarmed with frogs, in the chambers of their kings. (Writings PSA.105.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats in all their borders. (Writings PSA.105.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. (Writings PSA.78.45, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«A swarm of bees» takes a singular or plural verb: «a swarm of bees was/were buzzing». «Swarm with» means «be full of». Similar group words: a flock of birds, a herd of cows, a school of fish, a swarm of insects.