empty nester

noun

empty nest·​er -ˈne-stər 

variants or less commonly empty-nester

plural empty nesters also empty-nesters

: a parent whose children have grown up and no longer live with them

… empty nesters moving from suburban houses to city apartments …

—Daniel P. Gregory

Empty nesters in search of small, low-maintenance—but luxurious—retirement digs …

—Anne Kates Smith

If you are relocating, or if you are an empty-nester thinking about unloading the big old homestead for smaller digs, don't ignore the option of renting.

—William G. Flanagan and Brigid McMenamin

Examples of empty nester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a recent interview with Porter magazine, Cindy discussed the challenges of becoming an empty nester as both of her children established homes and careers of their own. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

All parents struggle in some way to adjust to life as empty nesters, but Charlie leaves his mom and dad in a somber, reflective state that casts a heavy pall over an episode that drifts toward the turgid. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Saville began fostering for Front Street after becoming an empty nester. — Melissa May, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Alongside the emotions that come with becoming an empty nester is often the impulse to clear out your home. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empty nester

• polyester
• ancestor
• arrester
• digester
• investor
• protester
• requester
• semester
• sequester
• silvester
• trimester
• ester