dormancy

noun

dor·​man·​cy ˈdȯr-mən(t)-sē 

: the quality or state of being dormant

Synonyms of dormancy

• suspension
• suspense

Examples of dormancy in a Sentence

some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy

a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action

Recent Examples on the Web

Shifting your planting schedule to late autumn takes advantage of strategic natural dormancy. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Nov. 2026

This endemic flower is coaxed out of dormancy by the rains and grows along just a few miles of this stretch of coastline in the Atacama Desert — nowhere else in the world. — John Bartlett, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026

By 1988, Notre Dame had recalibrated from its dormancy under Faust by bringing in Lou Holtz, but the programs’ roles had effectively flipped. — Dana Oneil, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

Yellow fall leaves often signal normal winter dormancy rather than a plant problem. — The Spruce, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dormancy

noun

dor·​man·​cy ˈdȯr-mən-sē 

: the quality or state of being dormant