Hibernation
noun /ˌhaɪ.bəˈneɪ.ʃən/ — A deep winter sleep in which metabolism slows dramatically.
Definition
A state of deep winter sleep in certain animals — bears, hedgehogs, bats — during which body temperature drops, heart rate slows drastically, and metabolic activity reduces to a minimum.
Beyond the definition
Hibernation is the animal kingdom's most honest response to winter: go very still, very deep, use nothing you don't have. Come back when the world is ready for you.
Origin & history
From Latin 'hibernatio' (wintering); from 'hibernare' (to winter); from 'hiems' (winter).
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
A hibernating bear's heart rate drops to eight beats per minute — and they can remain in this state for seven months.
She jokingly declared hibernation season every November, pulling back from social obligations until spring.
True hibernation and ordinary winter sleep are different — hibernation requires specific physiological preparation months in advance.
Synonyms
winter sleep, torpor, dormancy (mammals)
Antonyms
wakefulness, activity
Related words
Hibernation vs estivation
Hibernation is a response to winter cold and low food supply. Estivation is a similar state triggered by extreme summer heat and drought.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Chair Being Reclaimed By Forest
An old wooden chair rests on the forest floor, covered in vines and mushrooms, appearing as if it is in a long, quiet sleep.
Hibernation is a deep winter sleep with reduced metabolic activity. The chair's stillness, as it is slowly enveloped by the forest, mimics this state of energy conservation practiced by animals to survive cold seasons.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration