'beehive' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bēo' meaning 'bee' and 'hīf' meaning 'dwelling'.

'bēo' and 'hīf' combined in Old English to form 'bēohīf', which eventually became the modern English word 'beehive'.

Initially, it meant 'a dwelling for bees', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.