nest

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A structure that a bird or other animal builds to lay its eggs and raise its young.

   Grammar: Countable: a nest, the nest, nests.

   Patterns

   • build a nest
   • a bird's nest
   • in the nest

   The robins built a nest in the apple tree.

   We found a nest with three blue eggs.

   The mother bird returned to the nest to feed her chicks.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A comfortable or secluded home, often used figuratively.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in compounds like 'love nest' or 'empty nest'.

   Patterns

   • a love nest
   • an empty nest
   • leave the nest

   After the children left, they had an empty nest.

   The couple was spotted at their secret love nest.

   The young couple set up their first nest in a tiny apartment.

3. 3nouncountablefigurative

   A place where something bad or illegal is kept or happens.

   Grammar: Countable; often in phrases like 'a nest of thieves'.

   Patterns

   • a nest of thieves
   • a nest of spies

   The police raided a nest of drug dealers.

   The old building was a nest of corruption.

4. 4verbintransitive

   To build or settle into a nest.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'in' or 'on'.

   Patterns

   • nest in something
   • nest on something

   The swallows nest in the barn every summer.

   These birds nest on the cliffs.

5. 5verbtransitive

   To fit something inside something else, especially in a series.

   Grammar: Takes an object: nest the bowls.

   Patterns

   • nest something inside something
   • nest the bowls

   She nested the smaller boxes inside the larger one.

   The tables nest together for easy storage.

Word forms

Common combinations

build a nest

The birds worked together to build a nest.

leave the nest

The young adults were ready to leave the nest.

empty nest

After the kids moved out, they had an empty nest.

nest egg

They saved a nest egg for retirement.

nesting season

During nesting season, the park is full of birds.

Synonyms and how they differ

den

A den is a wild animal's shelter, often for mammals like foxes; a nest is usually for birds or insects.

lair

A lair is a wild animal's resting place, often suggesting danger; nest is more neutral.

Word family

nesting noun

The activity of building or using a nest.

nester noun

An animal that builds or uses a nest.

nestle verb

To settle comfortably close to someone or something.

Commonly confused: nest or next?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “nest”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words