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 sinkhole has gone unrepaired since then, and it’s grown deep and wide enough that a bear might choose to hibernate in it, curling up beneath the trees that have taken root in the cavity.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Each year, beginning in spring when grizzlies awake from months spent hibernating, between 30 to 40 people — in Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, a small portion of Washington and British Columbia — are attacked, and two to three people are killed, after coming into contact with these animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Another theory suggests that extreme winter weather may have caused their deaths while hibernating, as frogs burrow into the mud but can succumb to particularly harsh freezes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trees shed leaves in fall, animals hibernate in winter, flowers bloom in spring, and everything basks in the heat of summer.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
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.
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Each year, beginning in spring when grizzlies awake from months spent hibernating, between 30 to 40 people — in Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, a small portion of Washington and British Columbia — are attacked, and two to three people are killed, after coming into contact with these animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Another theory suggests that extreme winter weather may have caused their deaths while hibernating, as frogs burrow into the mud but can succumb to particularly harsh freezes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trees shed leaves in fall, animals hibernate in winter, flowers bloom in spring, and everything basks in the heat of summer.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 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 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share