nestle

American  

[nes-uhl] / ˈnɛs əl /

verb (used without object)

nestled, nestling

1. to lie close and snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle.

2. to lie or be located in a sheltered spot; be naturally or pleasantly situated.

   a cottage nestling in a pine grove.

3. Archaic.

   1. to make or have a nest.

   2. to make one's home; settle in a home.

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verb (used with object)

nestled, nestling

1. to settle or ensconce snugly.

   He nestled himself into the hay for a short nap.

2. to put or press confidingly or affectionately.

   She nestled her head on his shoulder.

3. to provide with or settle in a nest, as a bird.

nestle British  

/ ˈnɛsəl /

verb

1. (intr; often foll by up or down) to snuggle, settle, or cuddle closely

2. (intr) to be in a sheltered or protected position; lie snugly

3. (tr) to shelter or place snugly or partly concealed, as in a nest

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Other Word Forms

• nestler
  noun
• unnestled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nestle

before 1000; Middle English nestlen, Old English nestlian, cognate with Dutch nestelen. See nest, -le

Explanation

To nestle into something is to get snug, comfy, and warm in it. You might nestle into your mother’s shoulder, or into a pile of blankets on the couch. People must think that birds live comfortable lives, because they describe really cozy, safe, and comfortable places as nests: places to nestle into. And it’s not just people and birds that nestle. A cottage might be nestled into the crook of a hill, or a mouse nestled into a pile of wood shavings.

Example Sentences

Simultaneously, packaged food companies like Nestle are grappling with a growing cohort of health-conscious consumers who have lost their appetite for ultraprocessed foods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

In January and February, Nestle and Danone issued recalls of their baby formula brands in more than 60 countries, including in the UK, after babies fell ill.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“I just passed on a package of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips this morning because the bag was $10,” one Reddit user wrote in a discussion thread about the E-shaped economy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

KitKat, owned by Swiss food giant Nestle, confirmed in a statement sent to AFP on Saturday that "a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe".

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Yesterday, he was walking down Nestle Street when he passed Mr. Jerry's house and saw something out of the corner of his eye.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds