propolis

UK: /ˈprɒpəlɪs/ US: (prop′ə lis)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prop•o•lis  (prop′ə lis), n. 

1. Insects a reddish resinous cement collected by bees from the buds of trees, used to stop up crevices in the hives, strengthen the cells, etc. Also called bee glue. 

• Medieval Latin, for Latin propolis as above
• Greek própolis bee glue, literally, outskirts of a city (see pro-², -polis), apparently origin, originally the name for a structure around the entrance to a hive, hence applied to the glue from which it was made; replacing Middle English propoleos
• Latin
• 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

propolis / ˈprɒpəlɪs/ noun

1. a greenish-brown resinous aromatic substance collected by bees from the buds of trees for use in the construction of hives
   Also called: bee glue, hive dross

Etymology: 17th Century: via Latin from Greek: suburb, bee glue, from pro- before + polis city