WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
hi•ber•nate /ˈhaɪbɚˌneɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [no object], -nat•ed, -nat•ing.
hi•ber•na•tor, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Zoologyto spend the winter in a state resembling sleep, as bears do.
hi•ber•na•tor, n. [countable]
hi•ber•nate
(hi′bər nāt′),USA pronunciation v.i., -nat•ed, -nat•ing.
hi′ber•na′tion, n.
hi′ber•na′tor, n.
- Zoologyto spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. Cf. estivate.
- to withdraw or be in seclusion;
retire. - to winter in a place with a milder climate:Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.
- Latin hībernātus (past participle of hībernāre to spend the winter). See hibernal, -ate1
- 1795–1805
hi′ber•na′tor, n.
'hibernation' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):