hibernate
verb
hi·ber·nate
ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 
hibernated; hibernating
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
Examples of hibernate in a Sentence
bears hibernating in their dens
Recent Examples on the Web
The reptile, which hibernates individually in holes, burrows or rock crevices, prefers to live along ridgelines and bluffs, especially on south and southwest facing slopes.
—
Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
However, while ground squirrels are hibernating, their vasopressin levels jump, but the animal still doesn’t drink.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Interestingly, the researchers infer that early primates may have survived freezing winters by hibernating like bears do today – slowing down their heart rate and sleeping through the coldest months to save energy.
—New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2025
Clusters of genes found in humans match those that hibernating animals like mice use to power down during lean times, a new study has found.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
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Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
However, while ground squirrels are hibernating, their vasopressin levels jump, but the animal still doesn’t drink.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Interestingly, the researchers infer that early primates may have survived freezing winters by hibernating like bears do today – slowing down their heart rate and sleeping through the coldest months to save energy.
—New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2025
Clusters of genes found in humans match those that hibernating animals like mice use to power down during lean times, a new study has found.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Cite this Entry
“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hibernate
verb
hi·ber·nate
ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state
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
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