/ Dictionary / Index H hibernate: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: hi•ber•nate Pronunciation: (hi'bur-nāt"), [key] — -nat•ed, -nat•ing. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire. to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: hibernate (Thesaurus) hibernal Hibernia Related Content Daily Word Quiz: neologism Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language