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
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
Sandy doesn’t get as many opportunities as her pals to be completely outrageous, but her furious desire to hibernate (which is constantly interrupted by Patrick and SpongeBob) takes center stage in this bonkers episode.
—Barry Levitt, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
Videos of alligators poking their snouts through patches of ice in bodies of water have caused an online frenzy as people wonder if the animals are dead or hibernating.
—Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Jan. 2024
In their native East Asian habitats, the insects hibernate through the winter in the nooks and crannies of natural structures like cliffs, Liesch.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hibernate 
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2024
Sandy doesn’t get as many opportunities as her pals to be completely outrageous, but her furious desire to hibernate (which is constantly interrupted by Patrick and SpongeBob) takes center stage in this bonkers episode.
—Barry Levitt, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
Videos of alligators poking their snouts through patches of ice in bodies of water have caused an online frenzy as people wonder if the animals are dead or hibernating.
—Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Jan. 2024
In their native East Asian habitats, the insects hibernate through the winter in the nooks and crannies of natural structures like cliffs, Liesch.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 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 28 Nov. 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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