nest

verb

nested; nesting; nests

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

Examples of nest in a Sentence

Robins nested in the tree.

She studied the nesting habits of the turtle.

The set of four chairs can nest into one stack.

The smaller bowl is designed to nest inside the larger one.

Recent Examples on the Web

Deciding on a solution to the long-running turtle tizzy at I-95’s Exit 42, where 100-foot-tall light towers burn so brightly experts say the glow disrupts sea turtle nesting on beaches 12 miles away, has state and local government officials at loggerheads. —Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 June 2026

If these stinging insects are nesting in your yard, look for the things that might be attracting wasps and learn how to keep them away. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

Dogs should also remain leashed and under control around trees and shrubs where birds may be nesting, and residents also should not fly drones near wildlife. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026

The pair of bald eagles spotted nesting in Los Angeles County. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing nest

• bird's-nest fern
• bird's nest soup
• crow's nest
• empty-nest syndrome
• feather one's nest
• hornet's nest
• leave/flee the nest
• love nest
• mare's nest
• nest egg

Rhymes for nest

• blessed
• blest
• breast
• chest
• crest
• dressed
• fest
• gest
• geste
• guessed
• jest
• lest

Kids Definition

nest

1 of 2 noun

ˈnest 

1

a

: a place or structure where eggs are laid and hatched or young are raised

a turtle's nest

the nest of a bird

a mouse's nest

b

: the home or shelter of an animal (as a squirrel or chimpanzee)

2

a

: a place of rest, retreat, or lodging : home

grown children who have left the nest

b

: den sense 2, hangout

the robbers' nest

3

: the occupants of a nest

a nest of baby birds

4

: a group of objects made to fit one within another

a nest of measuring cups

nest

2 of 2 verb

1

: to build or live in a nest

robins nested in the tree

2

: to fit compactly together or within one another

a set of tables that nest for storage

Medical Definition

nest

noun

ˈnest 

: an isolated collection or clump of cells in tissue of a different structure

a nest of sarcomatous cells