1
heraldry
: represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws
2
: marked by a suspension of activity: such as
a
: temporarily devoid of external activity
a dormant volcano
b
: temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated
seeds will remain dormant until spring
reawaken her dormant emotions
3
b
: having the faculties suspended : sluggish
c
: having biological activity suspended: such as
(1)
: being in a state of suspended animation
(2)
botany
: not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment
—used of plant parts
4
: associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy
dormant grafting
Examples of dormant in a Sentence
The seeds will remain dormant until the spring.
Her emotions have lain dormant for many years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of coddling grass with irrigation and fertilizer to prevent it from going dormant, embrace this natural response.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
This allows the rooted cutting a full growing season to develop before becoming dormant in the winter.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Karuizawa, a dormant distillery that was recently revived (at least in name), was the number one seller of the year—a single cask bottling of a 1952 vintage whisky sold for $372,684 in Hong Kong.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
After people contract chicken pox, usually in childhood, the virus stays dormant in the nerve cells for life.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
This allows the rooted cutting a full growing season to develop before becoming dormant in the winter.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Karuizawa, a dormant distillery that was recently revived (at least in name), was the number one seller of the year—a single cask bottling of a 1952 vintage whisky sold for $372,684 in Hong Kong.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
After people contract chicken pox, usually in childhood, the virus stays dormant in the nerve cells for life.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dormant. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dormant
adjective
dor·mant
ˈdȯr-mənt 
1
: not active but capable of becoming active
a dormant volcano
2
a
: sleeping or appearing to be asleep : sluggish
b
: having growth or other biological activity much reduced or suspended
a dormant bud
3
: of, relating to, or used during a period of no or greatly reduced activity or growth
a dormant spray for fruit trees
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