nestle

verb

nes·​tle ˈne-səl How to pronounce nestle (audio)
nestled; nestling ˈne-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce nestle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
archaic : nest sense 1
2
: to settle snugly or comfortably
3
: to lie in an inconspicuous or sheltered manner

transitive verb

1
: to settle, shelter, or house in or as if in a nest
the children were nestled all snug in their bedsClement Moore
2
: to press closely and affectionately
nestles a kitten in her arms
nestler noun

Examples of nestle in a Sentence

He nestled his head against his mother's shoulder. She carefully nestled the hamster into its cage. The fly ball nestled into the outfielder's glove.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After safely returning to the fairway, his approach shot nestled just a few feet from the hole, allowing the American to land his birdie putt and close out a nerve-wracking victory. George Ramsay, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025 Located in Charleston, South Carolina, this 38,000-square-foot space is fittingly nestled in the heart of Gadsden’s Wharf. Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 26 Feb. 2025 Where to Eat and Drink The Barbary One of my favorite restaurants, nestled inside an adorable enclave by Seven Dials in Covent Garden. Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025 George is an obsessive chronicler of his own role in history: In his study, nestled in an idyllic Hudson estate, a floor-to-ceiling shelf is filled with hundreds of black Moleskines, meticulously dated and labeled. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nestle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English nestlian, from nest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nestle was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nestle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nestle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

nestle

verb
nes·​tle ˈnes-əl How to pronounce nestle (audio)
nestled; nestling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce nestle (audio)
1
: to lie close and snug : cuddle
2
: to settle as if in a nest
nestler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on nestle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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