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
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
Do bats migrate or hibernate in the winter? Not all bats hibernate.
—Sarah Ann Dueñas, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Jan. 2024
However, many species of native North American bees are solitary insects that hibernate and lay eggs in the soil, hollow plant stems, tree cavities, and leaf litter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hibernate 
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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
Do bats migrate or hibernate in the winter? Not all bats hibernate.
—Sarah Ann Dueñas, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Jan. 2024
However, many species of native North American bees are solitary insects that hibernate and lay eggs in the soil, hollow plant stems, tree cavities, and leaf litter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 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 Dec. 2024.
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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