hawk moth

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hawk′ moth′, 

1. Insects any of numerous moths of the family Sphingidae, noted for their very swift flight and ability to hover while sipping nectar from flowers. Also called sphingid, sphinx moth, hummingbird moth. 

• 1775–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hawk moth, hawkmoth / ˈhɔːkˌmɒθ/ noun

1. any of various moths of the family Sphingidae, having long narrow wings and powerful flight, with the ability to hover over flowers when feeding from the nectar
   See also death's-head moth