1
Western US
: a homesteader or squatter who takes up land on open range for a farm
2
: one that nests
Wood ducks are cavity nesters, setting up shop in holes high in trees.—
Howard Youth
Howard YouthExamples of nester in a Sentence
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Other cavity nesters such as woodpeckers will make holes in trees, and those can also be adopted by tree swallows, flickers, kestrels and chickadees.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Barred owls are quite territorial and are generally considered cavity nesters.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Andie MacDowell is living the empty-nester life, and it's come with ups and downs.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Widow and empty-nester Regina Johnston (Catherine Bell) and fiancé Nelson King (James Denton) navigate the challenges of selling Regina's family home for a fresh start in Florida.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nester
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Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Barred owls are quite territorial and are generally considered cavity nesters.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Andie MacDowell is living the empty-nester life, and it's come with ups and downs.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Widow and empty-nester Regina Johnston (Catherine Bell) and fiancé Nelson King (James Denton) navigate the challenges of selling Regina's family home for a fresh start in Florida.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nester
Cite this Entry
“Nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nester. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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nester
noun
nest·er
ˈnes-tər 
1
: one that nests
2
West
: a person who settles on open range in order to farm
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