noun

drone

drone, UAV, male bee, low hum

The company uses a drone for deliveries.

The company uses a drone for deliveries.

A male bee is called a drone.

A male bee is called a drone.

I could hear the drone of the engine.

I could hear the drone of the engine.

a/the ((drone)) a drone, a male bee He bought a new drone.

the ((drone)) of (sth.) the low hum of (sth.) The drone of the traffic was constant.

Synonyms (UAV): UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle

From Old English 'drān' (male bee), likely imitative of its buzzing sound. The 'unmanned aircraft' sense emerged in the 20th century.

Think of the buzzing sound a bee makes, then imagine a small aircraft making a similar 'droning' sound.

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