hibernate
verb (used without object)
to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.
hibernating
-
present participleof hibernate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Much like a bear hibernating through difficult conditions, these cells can remain inactive until the environment becomes more favorable.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026
As hibernating animals, marmots put on weight before winter.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
In this intimate portion of the book, we receive glimpses of two passionate artists hibernating, in love.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025
"I along with students and colleagues have been monitoring a winter hibernating colony of tricolored bats in an abandoned tunnel in upstate South Carolina since the winter of 2013-14," Loeb said.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2024
Creatures who should have been hibernating deep underground had been roused by that vicious weather.
From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown
