Synonyms
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
The other school maintains that normal grass height can contribute to matting as the grass emerges from dormancy (and in conjunction with spring fertlization).
—
Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
Any warm spell in spring seems to encourage bigleaf hydrangeas to break dormancy.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2023
My life was changing so rapidly – separation, divorce, the band’s last tour and indefinite dormancy for Hootie & the Blowfish.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Aug. 2023
Vinson said in order for peach trees to break dormancy and produce large quantities of quality fruit, a number of chilling hours at or below 45 degrees F must be naturally applied during the cool months.
—Cole Sikes, al, 27 Feb. 2023
Not only is the weather milder, but performing this maintenance will help reduce the spread of potential fungal infections and prepare your plants to enter a state of dormancy in the winter.
—Brandon Russell, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
The timing was disastrous for sites where vulnerable grape buds were emerging from winter dormancy.
—oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023
Citrus, however, do not go through a dormancy period and can be grown indoors over the winter.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2023
Warmer winter temperatures can also affect crops in California and other agricultural regions, particularly crops that require a higher chill during winter dormancy, such as pistachios, cherries and pears.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
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Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
Any warm spell in spring seems to encourage bigleaf hydrangeas to break dormancy.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 3 Aug. 2023
My life was changing so rapidly – separation, divorce, the band’s last tour and indefinite dormancy for Hootie & the Blowfish.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Aug. 2023
Vinson said in order for peach trees to break dormancy and produce large quantities of quality fruit, a number of chilling hours at or below 45 degrees F must be naturally applied during the cool months.
—Cole Sikes, al, 27 Feb. 2023
Not only is the weather milder, but performing this maintenance will help reduce the spread of potential fungal infections and prepare your plants to enter a state of dormancy in the winter.
—Brandon Russell, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
The timing was disastrous for sites where vulnerable grape buds were emerging from winter dormancy.
—oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023
Citrus, however, do not go through a dormancy period and can be grown indoors over the winter.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2023
Warmer winter temperatures can also affect crops in California and other agricultural regions, particularly crops that require a higher chill during winter dormancy, such as pistachios, cherries and pears.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dormancy.' 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
1789, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near dormancy
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dormancy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
dormancy
noun
dor·man·cy
ˈdȯr-mən-sē 
: the quality or state of being dormant
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