hibernation
Use Hibernation in a sentence
bərˌneɪt verb (used without object), hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing.
1.
Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. Compare estivate.
2.
to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
3.
to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Hibernation
00:10
Hibernation
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
hibernate (ˈhaɪbəˌneɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | Compare aestivate (of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed down |
| 2. | to cease from activity |
| [C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter] | |
| hiber'nation | |
| —n | |
| 'hibernator | |
| —n | |
| hibernate (ˈhaɪbəˌneɪt) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | Compare aestivate (of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed down |
| 2. | to cease from activity |
| [C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter] | |
| hiber'nation | |
| —n | |
| 'hibernator | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
hibernation
1664, from L. hibernationem (nom. hibernatio "the action of passing the winter," from hibernare "to winter," from hiems "winter," from PIE *gheim- "snow, winter" (cf. Skt. heman "in winter," Hittite gimmanza, Gk. kheima, O.C.S. zima, Lith. ziema "winter"). Hibernate is first attested 1802.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
hibernation  (hī'bər-nā'shən) Pronunciation Key
An inactive state resembling deep sleep in which certain animals living in cold climates pass the winter. In hibernation, the body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. Hibernation protects the animal from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce. Compare estivation. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
hibernation definition
Passing the winter in a sleeping or inactive condition. Bears, ground squirrels, woodchucks, and several other kinds of animals hibernate.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
In the long run, this bear is going to spend a lot of time in hibernation.
They have experienced reversible metabolic hibernation.
The light simmering in syrup does little to prepare the fruit for a long hibernation in the pantry.
Global warming is disrupting many hibernation schedules, sometimes with deadly consequences.
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