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
What makes thousands of people layer up and venture out in temperatures that cause some animals to hibernate?
—
Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
The instinct to hibernate and withdraw during winter can make engaging in self-care activities more challenging compared to the warmer seasons.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The stands at Northwest Stadium were jammed with burgundy and gold-clad fans, many of whom hibernated in recent seasons because of the dreck occurring on and off the field.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
This stood in contrast to the spurious but widely held belief that swallows hibernated during winter months.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
The instinct to hibernate and withdraw during winter can make engaging in self-care activities more challenging compared to the warmer seasons.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The stands at Northwest Stadium were jammed with burgundy and gold-clad fans, many of whom hibernated in recent seasons because of the dreck occurring on and off the field.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
This stood in contrast to the spurious but widely held belief that swallows hibernated during winter months.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hibernate
Articles Related to hibernate
Dictionary Entries Near hibernate
Cite this Entry
“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate. Accessed 21 Jan. 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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