Sting, in the context of "defend the hive, in a way," refers to the action of a bee or other insect using its stinger to inflict a painful or irritating wound. It is a defensive mechanism utilized by bees to protect their hive.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Defend the hive, in a way. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.