Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

empty-nester

noun

/ˈɛmptiˌnɛstər/

Definition

A parent whose children have grown up and left home, resulting in a quieter and often more solitary household.

Examples

After their youngest child went to college, the couple became empty-nesters.
Many empty-nesters take the opportunity to travel more or pursue hobbies they previously didn’t have time for.

Meaning

The term ’empty-nester’ refers to a stage in life that many parents experience when their children move away to college, get married, or establish their own households, leading to an empty home.