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
Warm-Season Grasses These grasses are the opposite, growing in the spring after a dormant winter and flowering and setting seed in the fall just before winter returns.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Archaeologists finally detected the spot, hidden under grass and soil, where the shaft entrance lay dormant and waiting, perhaps for an opportune moment to surface.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
The inside play was even more dormant, just 6-of-23 (26%) in the final 16 minutes.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2023, a massive sinkhole in the town of Daisetta, near Houston, began growing after being dormant for 15 years.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Archaeologists finally detected the spot, hidden under grass and soil, where the shaft entrance lay dormant and waiting, perhaps for an opportune moment to surface.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
The inside play was even more dormant, just 6-of-23 (26%) in the final 16 minutes.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2023, a massive sinkhole in the town of Daisetta, near Houston, began growing after being dormant for 15 years.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dormant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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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