hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
hibernated; hibernating

intransitive verb

1
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
bears hibernating in their dens
2
: to be or become inactive or dormant
let the computer hibernate
hibernation noun
hibernator noun

Examples of hibernate in a Sentence

bears hibernating in their dens
Recent Examples on the Web The body's response to hibernating and not adapting well to it could have caused these conditions. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 After fattening up in the warmer seasons, groundhogs spend nearly three months – or 150 days – hibernating without eating a single thing. USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024 Researchers examined the bones and found evidence that early humans might have hibernated because of the bone damage seen on the fossils. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 While hibernating, a groundhog's body temperature can drop from about 99 degrees Fahrenheit to as low as 37 degrees, a temperature cold enough to be fatal to humans, who lose consciousness at about 82 degrees. USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024 While amphibians hibernate, their heart rate and metabolism slow way down, freeing them from the need to chow down on food. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 When the Sun sets at the landing site next week, the two vehicles will hibernate as temperatures plummet to minus 333° Fahrenheit (minus 203° Celsius). Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2023 When the long snooze starts depends on what elevation the frogs live at, with those living higher up hibernating longer than those lower down, the state agency said in a recent outdoors column. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 Players compete to build the most impressive bee-civilization through building out their hive-ship, seeding and harvesting resources, breeding and hibernating their workers, and dancing to trade with other bees. James Palmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin hibernatus, past participle of hibernare to pass the winter, from hibernus of winter; akin to Latin hiems winter, Greek cheimōn

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hibernate was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near hibernate

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hibernate

verb
hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state
hibernation noun
hibernator noun

Medical Definition

hibernate

intransitive verb
hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
especially : to pass the winter in a torpid condition in which the body temperature drops to a little above freezing and metabolic activity is reduced nearly to zero compare estivate
hibernation noun
hibernator noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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