Gnezdo

Gnezdo is a noun used in several South Slavic languages to denote a nest, the structure built by birds and other animals in which eggs are laid and young are raised. The term is common in Slovenian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian, and appears with similar meaning in related languages under slightly different spellings. It has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Russian гнездо (gnezdo) and Polish gniazdo, reflecting shared linguistic roots.

In biology and ecology, gnezdo refers to the actual nest or to a nest-like shelter used by various organisms. Birds construct nests from materials such as twigs, leaves, mud, or plant fibers, while some mammals, insects, and other creatures use or create nest-like structures to protect eggs, larvae, or offspring.

Beyond its literal sense, the word often functions metaphorically to denote a place of origin, safety, or personal space—the place one considers home or base. In literature and everyday speech, expressions involving gnezdo describe nesting, settlement, or care-providing structures for families and communities.

Because gnezdo is a common noun across several languages, it also appears in place names or cultural references in Slavic-speaking regions, where it may be used in compound forms or as a poetic image. The precise usage varies by language and context.