empty nester

noun

empty nest·​er -ˈne-stər How to pronounce empty nester (audio)
: a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home

Examples of empty nester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That also seems to be especially heightened among empty nesters. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 The demographics of collectors with deep enough pockets to bid on high end props also explains the preponderance of material from the 70s, 80s and 90s – nostalgic sweet spots for today’s peak career professionals and empty nesters. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Bridget as an empty nester? Isn't that interesting? H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025 The actress stopped by The Drew Barrymore Show to talk about her excellent Hallmark Channel TV series The Way Home and her new life as an empty nester. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for empty nester

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empty nester was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Empty nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty%20nester. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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