nest egg

noun

1. money saved and held in reserve for emergencies, retirement, etc.
2. a natural or artificial egg placed in a nest to induce a hen to continue laying eggs there.

nest egg

noun

1. a fund of money kept in reserve; savings
2. a natural or artificial egg left in a nest to induce hens to lay their eggs in it

Word History and Origins

Origin of nest egg¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

But if you want to risk the nest egg on something, here’s a safe bet:

From Los Angeles Times

The stock price would plummet even more than it already has and other investors, many of them his fans who've invested their nest eggs, would be ruined.

From Salon

The value of homeownership is profound, providing both housing and the long-term stability of being part of a neighborhood and school community, not to mention generational wealth and a nest egg.

From Los Angeles Times

Doing so has earned her a clandestine nest egg which, in this world, means freedom.

From Salon

Plans to raise a multimillion-dollar endowment fund, a financial nest egg institutions can draw from, were never realized.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• cache
• reserve fund
• savings
• savings account
• stash
• stockpile