hibernate
verb
hi·ber·nate
ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 
hibernated; hibernating
1
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
bears hibernating in their dens
2
: to be or become inactive or dormant
let the computer hibernate
Examples of hibernate in a Sentence
bears hibernating in their dens
Recent Examples on the Web
The single-elimination tournament is held as hibernating bears reach peak fat after a summer-long effort.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
While the queens get ready to hibernate, the wasps that stay behind are working hard to feed themselves.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
They overwinter in the caterpillar stage by hibernating in leaf litter.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The reptile, which hibernates individually in holes, burrows or rock crevices, prefers to live along ridgelines and bluffs, especially on south and southwest facing slopes.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
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Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
While the queens get ready to hibernate, the wasps that stay behind are working hard to feed themselves.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
They overwinter in the caterpillar stage by hibernating in leaf litter.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The reptile, which hibernates individually in holes, burrows or rock crevices, prefers to live along ridgelines and bluffs, especially on south and southwest facing slopes.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Cite this Entry
“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hibernate
verb
hi·ber·nate
ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state
Medical Definition
hibernate
intransitive verb
hi·ber·nate
ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
especially
: to pass the winter in a torpid condition in which the body temperature drops to a little above freezing and metabolic activity is reduced nearly to zero compare estivate
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