nest
Looking for the meaning of nest? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.
A place used by another mammal, fish, amphibian or insect, for depositing eggs and hatching young.
A snug, comfortable, or cosy residence or job situation.
A retreat, or place of habitual resort.
A hideout for bad people to frequent or haunt; a den.
“That nightclub is a nest of strange people!”
A home that a child or young adult shares with a parent or guardian.
“I am aspiring to leave the nest.”
A fixed number of cards in some bidding games awarded to the highest bidder allowing him to exchange any or all with cards in his hand.
“I was forced to change trumps when I found the ace, jack, and nine of diamonds in the nest.”
A fortified position for a weapon.
A structure consisting of nested structures, such as nested loops or nested subroutine calls.
A circular bed of pasta, rice, etc. to be topped or filled with other foods.
An aggregated mass of any ore or mineral, in an isolated state, within a rock.
A collection of boxes, cases, or the like, of graduated size, each put within the one next larger.
A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively.
(of animals) To build or settle into a nest.
To settle into a home.
“We loved the new house and were nesting there in two days!”
To successively neatly fit inside another.
“I bought a set of nesting mixing bowls for my mother.”
To place in, or as if in, a nest.
To place one thing neatly inside another, and both inside yet another (and so on).
“There would be much more room in the attic if you had nested all the empty boxes.”
To hunt for birds' nests or their contents (usually "go nesting").
Understanding "nest"
The word **"nest"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/nɛst/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"nest"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "nest" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "nest" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "nest" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /nɛst/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "nest" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "nest" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "nest" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "nest". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/nɛst/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "nest" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use nest in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "nest" can be used in academic and casual conversations.