hibernate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb sleep during winter
    hole up.
    • Bears must eat a lot of food before they hibernate in their caves
  2. verb be in an inactive or dormant state

WordNet

Hi"ber*nate intransitive verb
Etymology
L. hibernare, hibernatum, fr. hibernu wintry. See Hibernal.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hibernated ; present participle & verbal noun Hibernating
Definitions
  1. To winter; to pass the season of winter in close quarters, in a torpid or lethargic state, as certain mammals, reptiles, and insects.
    Inclination would lead me to hibernate, during half the year, in this uncomfortable climate of Great Britain. Southey.

Webster 1913