hibernate

hi·ber·nate | \ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt

How to pronounce hibernate (audio)

\

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

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Examples of hibernate in a Sentence

bears hibernating in their dens

Recent Examples on the Web Still, Fleck has put a charge into a program that has spent past autumns hibernating by leading the Golden Gophers to their first 10-win season since 2003. — Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, "Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan football good, but not good enough vs. Ohio State," 2 Dec. 2019 The snake can’t take the cold, but formed a convenient relationship with the gopher tortoise to survive the winters in the northern parts of its range, hibernating in the tortoise burrows alongside the tortoises to wait out the winter months. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, "This imperiled Alabama snake eats rattlesnakes, copperheads for breakfast," 30 Oct. 2019 More motivation to hibernate for the winter—or at least travel south. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "This Woman’s Back Rash and Cold Agglutinin Disease Might Have Been Triggered By New York Weather," 25 Sep. 2019 The sharp increase can be attributed to a larger bear population and a wet spring that kept the bears hibernating longer than usual. — USA TODAY, "Barbie, Tupac, scorpions and Red Vines: News from around our 50 states," 19 July 2019 Bengel said a dozen or so bats hibernate in the mine beginning in the late fall. — Dennis Hohenberger, courant.com, "Bat Day At Old Newgate Prison Highlights Threat To Species," 12 Sep. 2019 Shedding is natural after your hair has been hibernating for awhile. — Essence, "4 Steps To Restoring Your Hair After a Protective Style," 3 Sep. 2019 In order for that to happen, Sam Rayburn needs to rediscover an offense, an offense that has been hibernating for the last two years. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Pasadena ISD football programs knocking on door to victory milestone and the quest starts this weekend," 28 Aug. 2019 Delivered to your inbox on Wednesday and Friday Ground squirrels will hibernate in the colder days of winter, but the youngsters usually stay awake. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Uh oh. Ground squirrels have moved into a Fremont yard," 28 Aug. 2019

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.

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Learn More about hibernate

Dictionary Entries near hibernate

hibernating gland

hibernian green

Statistics for hibernate

Last Updated

8 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernator?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=h&file=hibern06. Accessed 11 December 2019.

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More Definitions for hibernate

hibernate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of hibernate

of an animal : to spend the winter sleeping or resting

See the full definition for hibernate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hibernate

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

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heavy with or as if with moisture

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