hibernate

[ hi-ber-neyt ]
/ ˈhɪ bərˌneɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR hibernate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing.

Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. Compare estivate.
to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.

Origin of hibernate

First recorded in 1795–1805, hibernate is from the Latin word hībernātus (past participle of hībernāre to spend the winter). See hibernal, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM hibernate

hi·ber·na·tion, noun hi·ber·na·tor, noun post·hi·ber·na·tion, adjective sem·i·hi·ber·na·tion, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hibernate

estivate hibernate

Words nearby hibernate

hibachi, hibakusha, hibbing, hibernaculum, hibernal, hibernate, hibernation, hibernia, hibernian, hibernicism, hibernicize

Words related to hibernate

hide, vegetate, sleep, winter, immure

Example sentences from the Web for hibernate

British Dictionary definitions for hibernate

hibernate
/ (ˈhaɪbəˌneɪt) /

verb (intr)

(of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed down Compare aestivate
to cease from activity

Derived forms of hibernate

hibernation, noun hibernator, noun

Word Origin for hibernate

C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter