hornet's nest

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hor′net's nest′, 

1. a large amount of activity, trouble, hostility, or animosity:
   His investigation stirred up a hornet's nest, resulting in major shifts in personnel.

• 1730–40

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

hor•net /ˈhɔrnɪt/   n. [countable]

1. Insects a large stinging wasp.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hor•net  (hôr′nit), n. 

1. Insects any large, stinging paper wasp of the family Vespidae, as Vespa crabro (giant hornet,) introduced into the U.S. from Europe, or Vespula maculata (bald-faced hornet or white-faced hornet,) of North America.

• bef. 900; Middle English harnete, Old English hyrnet(u); cognate with Old High German hornaz (German Horniss); akin to horn

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hornet / ˈhɔːnɪt/ noun

1. any of various large social wasps of the family Vespidae, esp Vespa crabro of Europe, that can inflict a severe sting
2. hornet's nest ⇒ a strongly unfavourable reaction (often in the phrase stir up a hornet's nest)

Etymology: Old English hyrnetu; related to Old Saxon hornut, Old High German hornuz