empty nester

noun

empty nest·​er -ˈne-stər How to pronounce empty nester (audio)
: a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home

Examples of empty nester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Economists Lynn Reaser, economist YES: Housing inventories have been constrained by low construction and by the preference of empty nesters to age in place rather than downsize. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2024 Instead of sadness, becoming empty nesters has brought even more fun into Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker's lives. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024 Recently empty nesters, the couple wanted to be more adventurous in their style choice and had an opportunity to do something totally different. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024 The wife is a restless empty nester, the psych department janitor a well-meaning idiot, and some rich Koreans are peripheral. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024 While a majority of the neighborhood caters to families, the mixed-use development attracts young professionals (bolstering the city's income tax), college graduates and empty nesters who want less space but still desire a walkable community. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 The twins, now 18, are preparing to go off to college, leaving their parents — who have been married since 1997 — empty nesters. Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 With four flex spaces, the house can adapt to the needs of various life stages, including young families, empty nesters and multigenerational households. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Other transitions a couples therapist can help with include moving in together, getting married, or becoming empty nesters. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'empty nester.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empty nester was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near empty nester

Cite this Entry

“Empty nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty%20nester. Accessed 11 May. 2024.

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