hibernate

verb

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hi·ber·nate | \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt

hibernated; hibernating

Definition of hibernate

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

Other Words from hibernate More Example Sentences Learn More About hibernate

Other Words from hibernate

hibernation \ ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən

\ noun

hibernator \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnā-tər

\ noun

Examples of hibernate in a Sentence

bears hibernating in their dens

Recent Examples on the Web Spring has arrived at last, but Tesla bears might want to crawl back into their caves to hibernate some more. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 Some rodents and other animals hibernate on strict schedules governed by day length. — Chris Woolston, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2022 By contrast, many species in the Southern Hemisphere would have been preparing to hibernate for the winter as opposed to gearing up for their reproduction cycles. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2022 Still, Barnes wonders if humans will be able to hibernate someday. — Jessica Wapner, The New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2022 This year, caretakers at the Birmingham Zoo say Birmingham Bill, who also goes by his full name Jamie Bill, will continue to hibernate through the holiday. — Derenn Hollman, al, 2 Feb. 2022 Captive lemurs, however, receive an abundance of food all year, so the need to hibernate as a way to store energy is unnecessary, reports Clare Watson for Science Alert. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2021 These large lizards usually hibernate from the end of November through February. — Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 21 Oct. 2021 Rattlesnakes usually hibernate from October to April and look for rocks to hide under and warm places and will return to the same place year after year. — Olga R. Rodriguez, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Oct. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hibernate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About hibernate

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near hibernate

hibernant

hibernate

hibernating gland

Statistics for hibernate

Last Updated

30 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for hibernate

hibernate

verb

hi·ber·nate | \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt

hibernated; hibernating

Kids Definition of hibernate

: to pass all or part of the winter in an inactive state in which the body temperature drops and breathing slows

hibernate

intransitive verb

hi·ber·nate | \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt

hibernated; hibernating

Medical Definition of hibernate

: 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

Other Words from hibernate

hibernation \ ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən

\ noun

hibernator \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər

\ noun