hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
hibernated; hibernating

intransitive verb

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
hibernation noun
hibernator noun

Examples of hibernate in a Sentence

bears hibernating in their dens
Recent Examples on the Web And compared to other bears, female polar bears do not hibernate as deeply. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 6 Sep. 2023 All Americans except Enrico, and look at us, in our linen and sandals, ballooning pants and billowing caftans that hibernated for two years before being brought out into the sun. Andrew Sean Greer, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2023 Unlike the brown bears and black bears in North America, sun bears do not hibernate for the winter. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 Millions have died since 2006 from a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome, which attacks bats when hibernating and creates fuzzy spots on their muzzles and wings. John Flesher, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2023 But warmer winters means bears begin hibernating later and emerge earlier. WIRED, 25 July 2023 The bear’s take While Ives and other Tesla bulls took a victory lap Monday, bears weren’t exactly hibernating just yet. Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 3 July 2023 Polar bears, which rely on winter ice to hunt, don’t hibernate at all. Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 22 June 2023 Understanding why, as an earlier paper noted, a bear doesn't get blood clots while hibernating, for instance, might give scientists new insights into preventing blood clots in people, said Karlsson, also of UMass Chan Medical School. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hibernate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin hibernatus, past participle of hibernare to pass the winter, from hibernus of winter; akin to Latin hiems winter, Greek cheimōn

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hibernate was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near hibernate

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

hibernate

verb
hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
hibernated; hibernating
: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state
hibernation noun
hibernator noun

Medical Definition

hibernate

intransitive verb
hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt How to pronounce hibernate (audio)
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
hibernation noun
hibernator noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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