hibernation

hibernation — noun

1. a long, deep sleep-like state that certain animals enter during the winter month

1.nounB2
Definition

a long, deep sleep-like state that certain animals enter during the winter months, when their body temperature drops and their heart rate slows down so they can survive with little or no food.

Example

Bears enter a deep hibernation each winter in their dens.

collocation: enter hibernation

Ground squirrels lower their body temperature to near freezing during hibernation.

pattern: during hibernation [prepositional phrase]

Common collocations
  • deep hibernation
  • winter hibernation
  • enter hibernation
  • emerge from hibernation
  • go into hibernation
  • come out of hibernation
Synonyms
  • torpor

    a lighter, shorter period of inactivity that can last just one night; not as deep or long as hibernation

  • dormancy

    a broader term covering any pause in growth or activity, used for both animals and plants (e.g. seeds)

  • winter sleep

    an informal, everyday way to describe the same idea, often used with children or in general conversation

Antonyms
  • activity

    the ordinary state of moving, feeding, and being awake that hibernation temporarily stops

  • aestivation

    a similar state of dormancy but during the hot summer months (opposite season)

Usage Note

Hibernation is an uncountable noun — we do not say 'a hibernation' or 'hibernations.' Use 'go into hibernation' or 'emerge from hibernation' to describe the beginning and end of the state.

Common Mistakes

Bears go to hibernation every November.
Bears go into hibernation every November.
use the preposition 'into', not 'to', with 'go' when entering this state.
The snake had a long hibernation under the rock.
The snake spent a long time in hibernation under the rock.
'hibernation' is uncountable; use 'in hibernation' rather than 'a hibernation.'

Word family

  • hibernate
    verbB2
  • hibernating
    adjectiveB2
  • hibernator
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Hibernation, torpor, dormancy, and aestivation all describe states of reduced activity, but they differ in duration, depth, and season. Hibernation is the deepest and longest state, lasting the entire winter in many animals, with a drastic drop in body temperature and metabolism. Torpor is a lighter, shorter period that may last only a single night — hummingbirds enter torpor each evening to conserve energy. Dormancy is the broadest term, covering any pause in growth or function, including plant seeds and computer systems. Aestivation is the summer equivalent of hibernation, used by desert creatures to survive extreme heat and drought. For example: 'The bear's hibernation lasted five months,' but 'The hummingbird entered torpor at sundown and revived at dawn.'

torpordormancywinter sleepaestivation

Common collocations

Nouns

  • bear hibernation
  • animal hibernation
  • winter hibernation
  • hibernation period
  • hibernation season

Phrases

  • go into hibernation
  • come out of hibernation
  • emerge from hibernation

Prepositions

  • in hibernation
  • during hibernation
  • into hibernation
  • from hibernation

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'hibernare' meaning 'to pass the winter,' which comes from 'hibernus' meaning 'wintry.' The word entered English in the 1600s through scientific descriptions of animal behavior during cold months.