Main Entry: hi·ber·nate

Pronunciation: \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): hi·ber·nat·ed; hi·ber·nat·ing

: 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

—hi·ber·na·tion \ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən\ noun

—hi·ber·na·tor \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər\ noun