Definition of nest
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : a bed or receptacle prepared by an animal and especially a bird for its eggs and young
b : a place or specially modified structure serving as an abode of animals and especially of their immature stages
an ants' nest
c : a receptacle resembling a bird's nest
2a : a place of rest, retreat, or lodging : home grown children who have left the nest
3 : the occupants or frequenters of a nest
4a : a group of similar things
a nest of giant mountains— Helen MacInnes
b : hotbed sense 2 a nest of rebellion
5 : a group of objects made to fit close together or one within another
6 : an emplaced group of weapons
nest
verbnested; nesting; nests
Definition of nest (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to build or occupy a nest : settle in or as if in a nest
2 : to fit compactly together or within one another : embed
1 : to form a nest for
2 : to pack compactly together
3 : to form a hierarchy, series, or sequence of with each member, element, or set contained in or containing the next
nested subroutines
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Time Traveler for nest
The first known use of nest was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century