overwinter

[ oh-ver-win-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to pass, spend, or survive the winter:

   to overwinter on the Riviera.

overwinter

/ ˌəʊvəˈwɪntə /

verb

1. intr to spend winter (in or at a particular place)
2. tr to keep (animals or plants) alive through the winter
3. intr (of an animal or plant) to remain alive throughout the winter

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwinter¹

First recorded in 1890–95; over- + winter, replacing Old English oferwintran “to get through the winter,” which had become obsolete by the end of the Old English period (around 1150), and modeled on Norwegian and Danish overvintre, Swedish övervintra, Dutch overwinteren, or German überwintern

Example Sentences

In the winter of 1540, a Spanish soldier named Hernando de Soto led a colonial expedition into the region, and a local leader, Chikasha Minka, gave them permission to overwinter in the town.

From Popular-Science

Still, overwintering dinosaurs would have endured months of darkness, cold temperatures and even snowfall, Druckenmiller says.

From Science News

Local fire managers confirmed that these were the same fires, prompting the researchers to wonder just how often fires overwinter.

From Science News

Year-one individuals overwinter differently from the older generation.

From Popular-Science

Some whales may also overwinter in the northern summering areas.

From Project Gutenberg

Eggs laid in autumn overwinter and hatch the next summer, from April to August, depending upon the species.

From Project Gutenberg