hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 

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

ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən 

noun

hibernator

ˈhī-bər-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Examples of hibernate in a Sentence

bears hibernating in their dens

Recent Examples on the Web

Not all bears that live in the lower elevations around the Redding area will hibernate in the winter. —Damon Arthur, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

Others believed that birds hibernated underwater or, in certain cases, metamorphosed into other birds. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Monarch butterflies hibernating in the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico. —Andrea J. Arratibel, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024

Be especially aware of your surroundings in these areas and give animals their space to hibernate. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

hibernate

verb

hi·​ber·​nate ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 

hibernated; hibernating

: to pass the winter in a sleeping or resting state

hibernation

ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən 

noun

hibernator

ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

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

hibernation

ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən 

noun

hibernator

ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər 

noun