<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a pocketlike, usually more or less circular structure of twigs, grass, mud, etc., formed by a bird, often high in a tree, as a place in which to lay and incubate its eggs and rear its young; any protected place used by a bird for these purposes.</li><li>a place used by insects, fishes, turtles, rabbits, etc., for depositing their eggs or young.</li><li>a number of birds, insects, animals, etc., inhabiting one such place.</li><li>a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.</li><li>an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.</li><li>a place where something bad is fostered or flourishes: a robber's nest.</li><li>the occupants or frequenters of such a place.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.</li><li>to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to build or have a nest: The swallows nested under the eaves.</li><li>to settle in or as if in a nest.</li><li>to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.</li><li>to search for or collect nests: to go nesting.</li><li>Computers. to place a routine inside another routine that is at a higher hierarchical level.</li></ul>