Skip to main content
nest

nest

233 1.0
A place birds or animals make to lay eggs and raise their young
  • noun
  • /nɛst/
: nido
  • Many birds build their nest high up in trees to protect their young from predators.
  • bird's nest
  • build a nest
  • nest site

And we've had a record number of loggerhead turtle nests this year.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • "After Mrs. Mallard had laid eight eggs in the nest, "she couldn't go to visit Michael anymore, "because she had to sit on the eggs to keep them warm.

  • The mother bird returned to the nest to check on her chicks.

  • Birds in a tree, and then birds in a nest.

  • I'm the one who brings food back to the nest.

  • And she makes her nest after the mating flight in the summer.

  • Up in that oak tree there's a nest.

  • One young male returned to breed in a nest within a meter of where he hatched.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And we've had a record number of loggerhead turtle nests this year.

  • Penguins that forage close to the nest have greater reproductive success than those that must go farther.

    Academic text (2008)
  • After the storm, the nest fell from the tree, but the eggs inside were still safe.

Synonyms

bird nest
vsnest
5 1.0

A place where a bird lays eggs and takes care of its baby birds

is the general structure animals make to lay eggs and rear young
bird's nest
vsnest
2 1.0

A small home a bird builds to lay eggs and raise its young

is the broader animal term for such breeding structures
nesting place
vsnest
1 2.1

A place where birds or animals build a nest and lay eggs

describes the actual breeding structure rather than the suitable location
eyry
vsnest
  • UK
1 9.9

A high nest on a cliff used by eagles or hawks

is a general word for animal breeding structures without height restriction
aerie
vsnest
  • Literature
1 9.9

A large nest built high by birds that hunt, like eagles

is the general term for breeding structures not limited by height
birdnest
vsnest
1 1.3

A nest that birds build to hold eggs and raise their young

is the general name that also covers other animals' structures
aery
vsnest
  • Literature
1 9.9

A high nest where birds of prey raise their young

applies to any animal structure for eggs or young, not only high sites
eyr
vsnest
  • Archaic
9.9

A nest high above the ground where a large hunting bird lives

is the common modern term for animal breeding structures

Idioms

8.3

Use a job or position to get money for yourself in a dishonest way

To cause a lot of trouble and anger among people

Compounds

23 3.4

Money saved for the future, for example for retirement or emergencies

hornet's nest
  • Informal
15 7.2

A situation that causes much trouble and angry reactions

14 4.2

A small private place where two people in love spend romantic time together

6 9.9

An insulting name for a mental hospital

5 1.0

A place where a bird lays eggs and takes care of its baby birds

rat's nest
  • Informal
4 6.8

A very messy place with many things mixed together

3 3.7

A home made from chewed wood that wasps build to hold many insects

hornets' nest
  • Informal
3 6.7

A situation that causes trouble, danger, or strong disagreement

2 6.1

A small platform near the top of a ship's mast where a lookout stands

2 1.0

A small home a bird builds to lay eggs and raise its young

A nest made of paper-like material by wasps where they live

nest egg
  • Archaic
1 7.5

A fake egg placed in a chicken coop to make hens lay in one spot

A home built by hornets or wasps where they raise their young

mare's nest
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A confusing, chaotic situation with many mixed-up parts

1 3.4

A small home mice build to keep and raise their babies

magpie's nest
  • Informal
1 8.5

A messy collection of many different small things

bird's nest fern
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A tropical fern with long curved leaves that form a round nest in tree forks

bird's-nest fungus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small cup-shaped fungus that looks like a tiny nest of eggs

9.9

A fern that climbs trees and has broad leaves that look like a bird's nest

A place a mouse makes to live and raise its babies

hurrah's nest
  • Informal
9.9

A noisy joyful party with people cheering and running around

9.9

A hidden group of people who stay inactive until they get orders to do illegal or violent acts

A structure made by wasps or hornets where they live and raise young

How Protective

nest
233 1.0
burrow
19 2.7
cavity
  • Specialized
66 4.1

Surface Forms

nest singular
nests plural

Etymology

The word nest comes from an old English word næst meaning 'place to lay eggs', so it originally named the structure birds make to hold eggs and raise their young.