What does overwinter mean?
Overwinter means to remain, survive, or spend the winter in a particular place or under particular conditions. The word is especially common in discussions of plants, insects, birds, and other organisms that must endure cold or limited food supplies. Gardeners may say that bulbs or seedlings overwinter in the ground, while writers may describe an expedition, traveler, or building as overwintering somewhere. The term carries a practical and often mildly technical tone, emphasizing endurance and the passage of a difficult seasonal period rather than ordinary winter activity. It can be used transitively, as in “the plants overwintered the winter,” but is also frequently used intransitively, especially when the location or conditions are already clear.
verbTo survive or remain through the winter. It can also mean to pass the winter in a particular place or under particular conditions.
- To survive through the winter, especially as a plant, animal, or other organism.
- To spend the winter in a particular place or under particular conditions.
"The seedlings overwintered beneath a thick layer of mulch and returned the following spring."
"Many varieties of garlic are planted in autumn and overwinter in the garden."
"The expedition overwintered in a small cabin before continuing its journey in the spring."
Overwintering is a survival strategy: some organisms use winter as a time to endure, not to grow.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of overwinter
Overwinter is formed in English by combining the prefix over- with the word winter. The compound uses over- in the sense of “through” or “during the course of,” a meaning that developed in the language during the Middle English period. The word is therefore closely related to winter, wintry, and wintertime, while the specific verb overwinter developed later to describe remaining through the cold season.
Related word forms
How overwinter is actually used
Overwinter is relatively uncommon in everyday speech and is especially used in biology, horticulture, and descriptions of travel or residence. It is often intransitive, although it can also be used transitively with a place or condition as its object.