nester

noun

nest·​er ˈne-stər How to pronounce nester (audio)
Synonyms of nesternext
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

Examples of nester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hayley Kiyoko is starting to feel like an empty-nester. Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 June 2026 Lasagna, baked ziti, chicken piccata, eggplant parmigiana, chicken pot pie and shepherd’s pie come in single-serve, half (for two or three) or full portions — that single-serve and half-portion sizing is a small kindness for empty-nesters who don’t want a week of leftovers. Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 Jon Bon Jovi’s an empty-nester. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026 The demographics also are varied, including everything from young professionals to empty-nesters. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nester

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nester was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nester. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

nester

noun
nest·​er ˈnes-tər How to pronounce nester (audio)
1
: one that nests
2
West : a person who settles on open range in order to farm

More from Merriam-Webster on nester

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster