First Known Use: circa 1802
Dictionary
hibernate
verb hi·ber·nate \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt\
of an animal : to spend the winter sleeping or resting
hi·ber·nat·edhi·ber·nat·ing
Full Definition of HIBERNATE
intransitive verb
1
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
2
: to be or become inactive or dormant
— hi·ber·na·tion \ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən\ noun
— hi·ber·na·tor \ˈhī-bər-ˌnā-tər\ noun
See hibernate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of HIBERNATE
Latin hibernatus, past participle of hibernare to pass the winter, from hibernus of winter; akin to Latin hiems winter, Greek cheimōn
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Rhymes with HIBERNATE
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HIBERNATE Defined for Kids
hibernate
verb hi·ber·nate \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt\
hi·ber·nat·edhi·ber·nat·ing
Definition of HIBERNATE for Kids
: to pass all or part of the winter in an inactive state in which the body temperature drops and breathing slows
— hi·ber·na·tor \-ˌnāt-ər\ noun
Medical Dictionary
hibernate
intransitive verb hi·ber·nate \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt\
hi·ber·nat·edhi·ber·nat·ing
Medical Definition of HIBERNATE
: 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
—hi·ber·na·tion \ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən\ noun
—hi·ber·na·tor \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt-ər\ noun
Learn More About HIBERNATE
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