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
Thankfully, Gallagher doesn't mind Oprah hibernating in her pillow fortress and is happy to let her snooze there for hours.
—
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Cold Temperatures for an Insect Like hibernating bears, many insects slow their bodily processes during the tough winter months.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 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
While some bees hibernate through the winter, others try to manage business as usual.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
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Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Cold Temperatures for an Insect Like hibernating bears, many insects slow their bodily processes during the tough winter months.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 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
While some bees hibernate through the winter, others try to manage business as usual.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 24 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 19 Apr. 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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