hibernate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to technical. Common in biology, computing, and metaphorical everyday use.
Quick answer
What does “hibernate” mean?
to spend the winter in a state of deep sleep or dormancy to conserve energy, typically for animals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to spend the winter in a state of deep sleep or dormancy to conserve energy, typically for animals.
To become inactive, dormant, or inactive for an extended period; to withdraw or retreat from activity; in computing, for a system to save its current state to disk and power down.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning. Spelling differences follow standard conventions (e.g., 'hibernating' vs. 'hibernating' is the same).
Connotations
Identical. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Frequency of use is similar, with the computing term being equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “hibernate” in a Sentence
S hibernate (for + period)S hibernate (in/throughout + season)S hibernate (until + time/event)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hibernate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Hedgehogs hibernate in piles of leaves from November to March.
- You can hibernate your PC to save electricity.
American English
- Ground squirrels hibernate in elaborate burrows.
- Make sure you hibernate the system before unplugging it.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable (no standard adverb form).
American English
- Not applicable (no standard adverb form).
adjective
British English
- The hibernating bear was undisturbed in its den.
- A hibernation mode is essential for laptop efficiency.
American English
- They studied the hibernating bats in the cavern.
- The device entered a hibernation state.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company seems to have hibernated during the economic downturn, releasing no new products.
Academic
Certain species of bats hibernate in limestone caves to survive food scarcity.
Everyday
I just want to hibernate under my duvet this weekend and watch films.
Technical
Set your laptop to hibernate after 30 minutes of inactivity to save battery.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hibernate”
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'I hibernated the computer' is less common than 'I put the computer into hibernation'). Confusing it with 'aestivate' (summer dormancy).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a standard computing term meaning to save the system's state to disk and power down, allowing a quick restart to the exact same state.
No, while the primary biological meaning refers to animals, it is commonly used metaphorically for people, projects, or businesses becoming inactive, and technically for computers.
In computing, 'sleep' (or standby) keeps the system in a low-power state with memory active. 'Hibernate' saves the memory to disk and fully powers off, using no power.
The noun is 'hibernation'. Example: 'Bears go into hibernation.'
to spend the winter in a state of deep sleep or dormancy to conserve energy, typically for animals.
Hibernate is usually neutral to technical. common in biology, computing, and metaphorical everyday use. in register.
Hibernate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪ.bə.neɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪ.bɚ.neɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go into hibernation (metaphorical)”
- “come out of hibernation (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIGH-BEAR-NATE: a BEAR sleeping at a HIGH altitude (or for a long time) to survive the winter.
Conceptual Metaphor
INACTIVITY IS WINTER SLEEP (e.g., 'The project hibernated for months').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core meaning of 'hibernate'?