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.
Backpack, the winning bear, after months of eating to gain weight ahead of hibernating in winter.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Titus and Bjorklund shoveled mounds of ice over the crabs, putting them in a hibernating state to make it easier to transfer them into containers to be weighed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2025
My default seems to be crawling into myself and hibernating with warm, soft-baked Pillsbury chocolate chip cookies with a glass of oat milk.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2025
Finally, the researchers wanted to understand the changes that occur at the protein level during the different hibernating phases.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 20, 2024
“Pick him up! Get him to shore! Is this the season when the water serpents are hibernating or when they’re hungry?”
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
