nester

noun

nest·​er ˈne-stər 

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

The Kitchen As an empty-nester, your cooking and food-prep habits will likely change. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

So fall travel has historically been the domain of empty-nesters, young couples without dependents, parents bringing along adult children (or vice versa), friend groups, and solo adventurers. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nester

• empty-nester

Rhymes for nester

• ester
• esther
• fester
• jester
• nestor
• pester
• prester
• quaestor
• tester
• wester
• yester
• ancestor

Kids Definition

nester

noun

nest·​er ˈnes-tər 

1

: one that nests

2

West : a person who settles on open range in order to farm