hum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity
    busyness.
    • they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers
    • there is a constant hum of military preparation
  2. noun an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan
    Al Faran; Harkat ul-Mujahedeen; HUA; Harkat-ul-Mujahidin; Harkat ul-Ansar; Movement of Holy Warriors.
  3. noun a humming noise
    humming.
    • the hum of distant traffic
  4. verb sing with closed lips
    • She hummed a melody
  5. verb be noisy with activity
    seethe; buzz.
    • This office is buzzing with activity
  6. verb sound with a monotonous hum
    thrum.
  7. verb make a low continuous sound
    • The refrigerator is humming

WordNet

Hum intransitive verb
Etymology
Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D. hommelen.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hummed ; present participle & verbal noun Humming
Definitions
  1. To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums. P. Fletcher.
    Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep. Pope.
  2. To make a nasal sound, like that of the letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone.
    The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums. Shak.
  3. Cf. Hum, interj. To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem.
  4. To express satisfaction by a humming noise.
    Here the spectators hummed. Trial of the Regicides.
    ✍ Formerly the habit of audiences was to express gratification by humming and displeasure by hissing.
  5. To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.
Hum transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
  2. To express satisfaction with by humming.
  3. To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug. Colloq. & Low
Hum noun
Definitions
  1. A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.
    The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums. Shak.
  2. Any inarticulate and buzzing sound; as: (a) The confused noise of a crowd or of machinery, etc., heard at a distance; as, the hum of industry.
    But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men. Byron.
    (b) A buzz or murmur, as of approbation. Macaulay.
  3. An imposition or hoax.
  4. Cf. Hem, interj. An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc.
    THese shrugs, these hums and ha's. Shak.
  5. Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating. A kind of strong drink formerly used. Obs. Beau. & Fl.
Hum interjection
Etymology
Cf. Hem, interj.
Definitions
  1. Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation. Pope.

Webster 1913