Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A direct, straight course.
  • intransitive verb To move swiftly in a direct, straight course.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The most direct or straight way from one point to another, as that of bees in returning loaded with honey to their hives.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • The shortest line from one place to another, like that of a bee to its hive when loaded with honey; an air line.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A very direct or quick path or trip.
  • noun mining A dynamite fuse made with a small quantity of dynamite powder along its length, so that the spark travels quickly and at a specific known rate.
  • verb To travel in a straight course, ignoring established paths of travel.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the most direct route

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[From the belief that a bee returns to its hive in a straight course.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From bee + line, via the belief that a bee returns to its hive in a straight course.

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Examples

  • Now, towards the west, along I-4, I-95, and on the beeline, which is the road that connects the two, you have some showers you have some storms.

    CNN Transcript Jul 2, 2006 2006

  • A beeline is the shortest route between two points, not unlike as the crow flies.

    Berks county news 2010

  • Helen says she made a "beeline" for the visiting officer, one of the men who had brought news of Michael's death, and "dragged him into a corner", demanding to know whether he was aware her son had been shot by a British army sniper.

    'My son was shot by a British sniper, now all I want is the truth' Jamie Doward 2010

  • We always make a "beeline" for any ride that is indoors.

    MousePlanet 2010

  • "beeline" for the visiting officer, one of the men who had brought news of Michael's death, and "dragged him into a corner", demanding to know whether he was aware her son had been shot by a British army sniper.

    The Guardian World News Jamie Doward 2010

  • "beeline" for the visiting officer, one of the men who had brought news of Michael's death, and "dragged him into a corner", demanding to know whether he was aware her son had been shot by a British army sniper.

    The Guardian World News 2010

  • Just as I was about to exit my hotel and make a beeline for the Bolshoi, I ran into one of my most ardent fan girls.

    Welcome to My World Johnny Weir 2011

  • Those minutes ticked by as slowly as a century, but when they were over I made a beeline, still wearing my skates, for the lobby.

    Welcome to My World Johnny Weir 2011

  • I put my head down and make a quick, inconspicuous beeline for the exit.

    Angry Young Man Chris Lynch 2011

  • I made a beeline for my mom, who was sitting with Tara, my grandmother, and my aunt Diane.

    Welcome to My World Johnny Weir 2011

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