overwinter

1 of 2

verb

over·​win·​ter ˌō-vər-ˈwin-tər 

overwintered; overwintering; overwinters

intransitive verb

: to last through or pass the winter

overwinter

2 of 2

adjective

: occurring during the period spanning the winter

Examples of overwinter in a Sentence

Verb

The geese will overwinter in a warmer climate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cut back plants that overwintered in the garden, trimming them to about six inches in early spring. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026

And tender perennials that would die in a frost — dahlias, geraniums, peppers — can overwinter safely and come back stronger the following spring with an extra month or more of harvesting. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The most common squirrel in Connecticut, the eastern gray squirrel, is often the species that gets into homes to overwinter, nest or raise pups. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Apr. 2026

Perennials that need a warm space to overwinter: Tender plants like geraniums, dahlias, gladiolas and, yes, peppers will hold over the winter in many locations, providing the conditions are right. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overwinter

• teleprinter
• midwinter
• reenter
• minter
• printer
• sinter
• splinter
• sprinter
• winter

Kids Definition

overwinter

verb

over·​win·​ter

-ˈwint-ər

: to spend or survive the winter

the butterfly overwinters in Mexico