English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word drone in English

What does drone mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

drone

US /droʊn/
UK /droʊn/
"drone" picture

Noun

1.

a remote-controlled pilotless aircraft or small flying robot, used for surveillance, delivering goods, or military operations

Example:
•
The company uses drones to deliver packages.
•
Military drones are used for reconnaissance.
Synonym:
UAVunmanned aerial vehicleRPVremotely piloted vehicle
2.

a continuous low humming sound

Example:
•
The constant drone of the air conditioner was annoying.
•
We could hear the distant drone of an airplane.
Synonym:
humbuzzwhirpurrmurmur
3.

a male bee, especially a honeybee, that does no work but can fertilize the queen

Example:
•
The queen bee mates with several drones.
•
Drones are expelled from the hive in winter.

Verb

1.

make a continuous low humming sound

Example:
•
The refrigerator continued to drone in the background.
•
The engines of the plane began to drone loudly.
Synonym:
humbuzzwhirpurrmurmur
2.

speak in a monotonous tone

Example:
•
The professor would often drone on about ancient history.
•
His voice began to drone as he read the long report.
Synonym:
monotonizeintonate monotonouslyspeak flatly
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Related Word:
drone on