nest
a pocketlike, usually more or less circular structure of twigs, grass, mud, etc., formed by a bird, often high in a tree, as a place in which to lay and incubate its eggs and rear its young; any protected place used by a bird for these purposes.
a place used by insects, fishes, turtles, rabbits, etc., for depositing their eggs or young.
a number of birds, insects, animals, etc., inhabiting one such place.
a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.
a place where something bad is fostered or flourishes: a nest of vice; a robber's nest.
the occupants or frequenters of such a place.
to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.
to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.
to build or have a nest: The swallows nested under the eaves.
to settle in or as if in a nest.
to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.
to search for or collect nests: to go nesting.
Computers. to place a routine inside another routine that is at a higher hierarchical level.
Origin of nest
1Other words from nest
- nest·a·ble, adjective
- nester, noun
- nestlike, adjective
- nesty, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use nest in a sentence
They followed them back to the nest, which Spichiger said was located less than 30 feet from a children’s play set.
A nest filled with hundreds of ‘murder hornets’ was destroyed ‘just in the nick of time,’ officials say | Teo Armus | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostOne or two additional years gives your existing nest egg time to grow, more time for additional retirement contributions with higher catch-up limits for those age 50 and up, and less time that nest egg needs to support you in retirement.
Your 401(k) is still likely to have a bumpy ride after the election | Michelle Singletary | November 9, 2020 | Washington PostOnce I had an empty nest, I took on more hours so that parents of young children could focus on their family.
The pandemic is amplifying tensions between working moms and child-free colleagues | Karla Miller | November 5, 2020 | Washington PostThe idea is that folks with checking accounts at BofA’s 4,300 branches will stick with the bank for credit cards, car loans, and mortgages, and managing their nest eggs via a private banker or Merrill Lynch financial adviser.
Bank of America just ended a weak quarter—but there were 3 little-noticed bright spots | Shawn Tully | October 18, 2020 | FortuneEven with Google’s efforts to make the nest sound good anywhere, placement does matter.
Google’s Nest Audio sounds remarkably good for a $99 smart speaker | Stan Horaczek | October 6, 2020 | Popular-Science
How to Be Inappropriateby Daniel Nester A TMI compendia of inappropriate and humorous nonfiction.
Daniel Nester— the man who tanned his way to happiness—inches his way to the answer.
Daniel Nester—the man who tanned his way to happiness—inches his way to the answer.
Daniel Nester is the author of How to Be Inappropriate, a book of humorous nonfiction.
"Are you sure there isn't a woman at this nester's shack," said he appealingly to the bearers of the blanket stretcher.
Wells Brothers | Andy AdamsThe nester was uncoiling a rope from his saddle horn, and at this sight Masten shrieked and went to his knees.
The Range Boss | Charles Alden SeltzerIf we was all of us like you, there'd be nothing to it for the nester-bunch.
The Flying U's Last Stand | B. M. BowerWhat had the boys been thinking of, to let that nester stock get past them in the night?
The Flying U's Last Stand | B. M. BowerTill we do we've got to hang and rattle, and keep that nester stock from getting past us.
The Flying U's Last Stand | B. M. Bower
British Dictionary definitions for nest
/ (nɛst) /
a place or structure in which birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, mice, etc, lay eggs or give birth to young
a number of animals of the same species and their young occupying a common habitat: an ants' nest
a place fostering something undesirable: a nest of thievery
the people in such a place: a nest of thieves
a cosy or secluded place
a set of things, usually of graduated sizes, designed to fit together: a nest of tables
military a weapon emplacement: a machine-gun nest
(intr) to make or inhabit a nest
(intr) to hunt for birds' nests
(tr) to place in a nest
Origin of nest
1Derived forms of nest
- nester, noun
- nestlike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with nest
see empty nest; feather one's nest; foul one's nest; stir up a hornet's nest.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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