hibernation

American  

[hahy-ber-ney-shuhn] / ˌhaɪ bərˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

hibernations plural

1. a state of winter dormancy in some animals, in which normal annual rhythms slow the heart, breathing, and metabolic rates to a minimum, and the animal sleeps deeply in protective quarters.

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hibernation Scientific  

/ hī′bər-nā′shən /

1. An inactive state resembling deep sleep in which certain animals living in cold climates pass the winter. In hibernation, the body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. Hibernation protects the animal from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce.

2. Compare estivation

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hibernation Cultural  

1. Passing the winter in a sleeping or inactive condition. Bears, ground squirrels, woodchucks, and several other kinds of animals hibernate.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hibernations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hibernation

First recorded in 1680–90; hibernat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Explanation

Hibernation is a type of deep sleep some animals (like bears) go into during winter. Hibernation is like a long nap. Have you ever wanted to skip from fall to spring? Some animals do just that by hibernating, which is a sleep-like state during which their metabolism slows and they conserve energy. Animals who hibernate do nothing: hibernation is a time of rest and inactivity, almost like a coma. People also use this word for other types of inactivity. For example, you could talk about the hibernation of an athlete who has taken a year off from competition.

Example Sentences

Hibernation is a survival strategy used by many animals, characterised by a state of deep dormancy and profound reductions in metabolic activity, body temperature, heart rate and respiration.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

Hibernation enables animals to survive cold conditions, and estivation allows animals to survive the hostile conditions of a hot, dry climate.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

They had gathered for an event called “Under the Tongue: A Hibernation Temple and Ceremony,” organized by Nocturnal Medicine, a nonprofit that hosts parties meant to encourage spiritual healing.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2021

Hibernation in a squirrel might look like hibernation in a lemur or a groundhog, or a bear.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2014

Hibernation would be too much sleeping, even by Duane’s standards.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Related Words

• coma
• dream
• slumber
• trance