GREAT GIFT IDEA!

The Vocabulary Builder Workbook of Adjectives

✔ Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Buy on Amazon

4.9

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

hibernate

verb

/ˈhaɪ bərˌneɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of hibernate

To enter a state of deep sleep or dormancy for an extended period, typically during the winter months.
"Bears hibernate during the winter months to survive the cold."

Detailed meaning of hibernate

When animals hibernate, they undergo physiological changes that allow them to conserve energy and survive in harsh conditions with limited food resources. During hibernation, an animal's metabolic rate slows down significantly, its body temperature drops, and it enters a state of reduced activity and responsiveness. This period of dormancy helps animals endure cold temperatures, scarcity of food, or other challenging environmental conditions. Hibernation is a survival strategy that enables animals to conserve energy and minimize their needs until more favorable conditions return. While hibernating, animals may remain in a sheltered den or burrow, where they are protected from the elements. The duration and depth of hibernation can vary among species, with some animals awakening periodically to rouse and replenish their energy reserves before returning to a dormant state. Hibernation is a fascinating natural phenomenon that allows animals to adapt and survive in environments with seasonal fluctuations and limited resources.

Example sentences containing hibernate

1. Many reptiles hibernate in burrows or underground during the colder seasons.
2. The groundhog emerged from its burrow after hibernating for several months.
3. The bats found a cozy cave to hibernate in until spring arrives.
4. During hibernation, the hedgehog's body temperature drops significantly.
5. Some species of frogs hibernate at the bottom of ponds or lakes.
6. The squirrels gathered food to prepare for their winter hibernation.

History and etymology of hibernate

The verb 'hibernate' has its roots in the Latin word 'hibernare,' which meant 'to spend the winter' or 'to winter.' This Latin term, in turn, was derived from 'hibernus,' meaning 'wintry' or 'pertaining to winter.' The concept of 'hibernate' is closely tied to the behavior of many animals that enter a state of deep sleep or dormancy during the winter months, conserving energy and surviving in harsh conditions. The word 'hibernate' made its way into English in the early 19th century, retaining its original meaning of entering a state of winter dormancy. Its etymology reflects the natural phenomenon of animals adapting to winter by going into a prolonged restful state, which is the essence of hibernation.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the verb hibernate:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of hibernate

1. Bears typically hibernate in dens or caves, where they remain dormant until warmer weather returns.
2. The dormice retreat to their nests to hibernate throughout the winter.
3. Certain insects hibernate as eggs or larvae to survive the winter chill.
4. Snakes find shelter in rock crevices or underground burrows to hibernate during the colder months.
5. The tortoise burrows into the ground to hibernate during the coldest part of the year.
6. Bears hibernate during the cold winter to conserve energy.
7. Some reptiles hibernate in burrows to survive harsh winters.
8. Frogs hibernate in mud at the bottom of ponds.
9. During winter, many animals hibernate to stay warm.
10. Squirrels often hibernate in their cozy nests.
11. Tortoises hibernate underground to escape the cold.
12. Bats are known to hibernate in caves.
13. To endure the winter, hedgehogs hibernate in piles of leaves.
14. Chipmunks hibernate in burrows stocked with food.
15. Certain insects, like ladybugs, hibernate in clusters.
16. To avoid cold temperatures, snakes hibernate in dens.
17. Turtles hibernate in the mud of ponds and lakes.
18. Groundhogs famously hibernate until spring.
19. Some species of fish hibernate in the mud at the bottom of rivers.
20. Hedgehogs hibernate by lowering their body temperature.
21. Many amphibians hibernate underwater.
22. In cold climates, some frogs hibernate in tree hollows.
23. During the winter freeze, woodchucks hibernate in their burrows.
24. Fat stores help animals survive while they hibernate.
25. Bears hibernate to avoid the scarcity of food in winter.