A hive was a structure constructed by bees. An Alvanian beehive was an example of one such structure.
In explaining the Borg to Kelis, a member of a pre-warp species, B'Elanna Torres described them as "soldiers, [who were] part of a vast army," adding that "they all think the same thoughts, and they travel on ships that look like hives." Kelis took her reference by analogy, and interpreted them to be "[l]ike insect colonies," which Torres acknowledged, adding that "[t]hey even have a queen." (VOY: "Muse")