hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 

hibernated; hibernating

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

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

Cameras positioned inside dens have shown that hibernating bears groom themselves more frequently than once thought, in the process swallowing hair and bits of bedding such as leaves and grass that pass unaltered through the digestive tract. —Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 29 Nov. 2023

Despite spending more than half the year hibernating in frigid temperatures, brown bears (Ursus arctos) remain remarkably healthy. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023

When fall and winter rolls around, people are inclined to hibernate, have less energy to do activities, and struggle to adapt to more cloudy and colder weather. —Kiara Byrd, Essence, 2 Nov. 2023

This disease causes a fungus-like growth to spread across the bats’ noses, faces and wings while hibernating. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2023

The Fat Bear Week tournament is held as the bears attempt to fatten up in time to hibernate for winter. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2023

Loki’s evil side is a hibernating bear that, once poked, proves why Hiddleston plays such a good bad guy to begin with. —David Betancourt, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023

The week celebrates the resilience, adaptability and strength of Katmai’s brown bear population as the animals prepare to hibernate, according to the National Park Service. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 4 Oct. 2023

This charming and cozy refuge is the perfect secluded spot to enjoy a brisk autumn day and starry nights to hibernate like a true ogre would. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin hibernatus, past participle of hibernare to pass the winter, from hibernus of winter; akin to Latin hiems winter, Greek cheimōn

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 

hibernated; hibernating

: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state

hibernation

ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən 

noun

hibernator

ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

hibernate

intransitive verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 

hibernated; hibernating

: 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

hibernation

ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən 

noun

hibernator

ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər 

noun