a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
"The robin built a delicate nest of twigs and grass where it laid its eggs."
a cosy or secluded retreat
"After a long day at work, she retreated to her favorite armchair in the corner of the living room, turning it into a cozy nest where she could read peacefully."
a gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality
"a nest of thieves"
furniture pieces made to fit close together
"The living room features a cozy nest of armchairs that can be pushed tightly together for conversation."
A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.
"The new program was designed to train NES T candidates before they arrived in China."
Initialism of native English-speaking teacher.
In plain English: A nest is a cozy place where birds build their home to keep their eggs and babies safe.
"The robin built its nest in an old oak tree."
Usage: Use the noun form when referring specifically to the physical structure birds construct, while reserving the verb for the action of building it or settling in. This term is distinct from general shelter because its primary function is always tied to incubating eggs and raising young offspring.
To build or settle into a nest.
"The robin carefully gathered twigs to nest in the old oak tree."
In plain English: To nest means to build and move into a cozy home, usually with your family or partner.
"The mother bird carefully built her nest in the old oak tree before spring arrived."
The word nest comes from Old English and originally meant "where [the bird] sits down." It traveled into modern English as a term for both birds' homes and human structures designed to hold things.